Erie Blades

Pro hockey team
text_color = black
bg_color = #ffff99
team = Erie Blades

logosize = 120px
city = Erie, Pennsylvania
league = NAHL (1975–77)
NEHL (1978–79)
EHL (1979–81)
AHL (1981–82)
operated = 1975 to 1982
arena = Erie County Field House
colors = Gold, Black and White
affiliates = Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
name1 = Erie Blades
dates1 = 1975 to 1982
name2 = Baltimore Skipjacks
dates2 = 1982 to 1993
name3 = Portland Pirates
dates3 = 1993 to Present
reg_season_titles = three
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)
championships = three
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)

The Erie Blades name was used by two professional ice hockey teams in Erie, Pennsylvania. Both teams played their home games in the Erie County Field House. After the second Blades team folded, the void was filled by the Erie Golden Blades, a team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1982 to 1987.

1975 to 1977

The first team was a member of the North American Hockey League from 1975 to 1977. Nick Polano was the team's coach both seasons, and returned to coach the second Blades team for its first three seasons.

1978 to 1982

The second team was a member of the North Eastern Hockey League during the 1978–79 season, then the Eastern Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Blades three consecutive league championships during these seasons. The Blades were then admitted to the American Hockey League for the 1981–82 season.

The AHL Blades were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Lou Angotti replaced Polano as the head coach in 1981. After a poor season on the ice, the team was relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, merging with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, for the 1982–83 season. Coach Angotti and sixteen players were transferred to the Skipjacks.

eason-by-season results

* Erie Blades 1975–1977 (North American Hockey League)

* Erie Blades 1978–1979 (North Eastern Hockey League)
* Erie Blades 1979–1981 (Eastern Hockey League)
* Erie Blades 1981–1982

;Regular Season

;Playoffs