Oklahoma City Blazers

Oklahoma City Blazers
City	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
League	Central Hockey League
Conference	Northern Conference
Division	Northeast Division
Founded	1992
Home arena	Myriad Cox Convention Center
Colors	Burgundy, Gold, White
Owner(s)	Bob Funk
General manager	Brad Lund
Head coach	Doug Sauter
Affiliates	None
Franchise history
1992–2009	Oklahoma City Blazers
Championships
Division Championships	9
Ray Miron President's Cup	2

The Oklahoma City Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the Northwest Division of the Central Hockey League. The Blazers played at the Ford Center, located in downtown Oklahoma City. Their colors were burgundy, gold and white. On July 2nd, 2009, the Blazers ceased operations after failing to reach a lease agreement with the city.^[1]

Starting with the 2010-11 season, the market will be served by the Oklahoma City Barons AHL franchise playing at Cox Convention Center as the top affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.

History

The last incarnation of the Blazers came into being in 1992 with the revival of the CHL. They were one of the most successful minor league hockey franchises of all time, routinely drawing 8,000 fans or more.^{[citation needed]} On ice, the Blazers excelled as well, winning an unprecedented nine regular season division championships (including seven straight, 1996-2003), five regular-season points titles and CHL championships in 1996 and 2001. The franchise's two great stars, Joe Burton and Hardy Sauter, are the CHL's first and third all-time career leading scorers, and Burton is the fourth leading goal scorer in minor league hockey history.

In 2009 the Blazers withdrew their lease with Oklahoma City and ceased operations stating that "it is not economically feasible for us to go on at this point." Following years of speculation, Oklahoma City was officially granted an AHL franchise on February 10, 2010. The new AHL team is called the Oklahoma City Barons. They began play in the 2010-11 season as the top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.

Original Blazers franchise, 1965-1977

The first incarnation of the Blazers played in an earlier Central Hockey League between 1965 and 1977. Initially they were a Boston Bruins farm team. The first coach was Harry Sinden, and NHL stars Bernie Parent, Gerry Cheevers, Doug Favell, Reggie Leach, Rick MacLeish, Wayne Cashman, Ivan Boldirev, J. P. Parise, Ross Lonsberry, Dallas Smith, Bill Goldsworthy and Jean Pronovost played for the Blazers. From 1973 to 1976 the team was affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs and their roster included Mike Palmateer, Blaine Stoughton, Pat Boutette and all-time NHL penalty leader Dave "Tiger" Williams.

Gregg Sheppard was the franchise's leading career scorer. Their home arenas were the Fairgrounds Arena and the Myriad Convention Center Arena. The Blazers won the CHL championship in 1966 under player-coach Harry Sinden and repeated in 1967.

This team was created through the relocation of the Minneapolis Bruins, who began play in 1963 after originating as the Kingston Frontenacs of the defunct Eastern Professional Hockey League.

Championships

Year	League	Trophy
2000-2001	CHL	Ray Miron President's Cup
1995-1996	CHL	William “Bill” Levins Memorial Cup

External links

• Oklahoma City Blazers Official Site

References

1. ^ http://www.newsok.com/okc-blazers-cease-operations-city-to-talk-with-ahl-team/article/3382433?custom_click=lead_story_title