Kansas City Blades
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey
team in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri
at Kemper Arena
.
The idle franchise the Toledo Goaldiggers
was purchased by Russ and Diane Parker and moved to Kansas City in 1990. A name the team contest was held and the most popular name was "Jazz" (to complement the St. Louis Blues across the state). However, the Parkers did not want to use a name already used in sports (the NBA's Utah Jazz
). The second most popular name was "Blades," which coincidentally was the name of the IHL franchise which preceded the Goaldiggers in Toledo
.
For the 1990-91 season, the Blades was an independent team. From 1991-1996, they were the primary affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
. Facing pressure from the National Hockey League
, the Sharks and Blades went their separate ways in the summer of 1996. This meant the Blades were once again an independent team. This coincided with the sale of the team to the DeVos family, which also owned stake in rival teams the Grand Rapids Griffins
and the Orlando Solar Bears. The DeVos family made drastic changes to the team on and off ice, many of which did not bode well with longtime fans. For their final season, The Blades became the primary affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks
. The affiliation agreement was meant to be for two seasons, but the Blades, and the entire IHL, ceased operations one year into the partnership.
The Blades' best season was in 1991–92, when they won the Turner Cup
, under the coaching of Kevin Constantine
. The Blades advanced to the Turner Cup finals again in 1995, only to lose in four straight games to the Denver Grizzlies.
During the 2000 season, rumors became reality, as the DeVos family attempted to move The Blades franchise to Oklahoma City
. Faithful fans held a "Save the Blades" rally to persuade local government to keep the team in Kansas City. In the end, the team would not move to Oklahoma City due to disputes between the league and both cities. By this point, the DeVos family was no longer welcome by Blades fans and was often booed on their rare appearances in Kansas City.
Due to financial troubles, the IHL ceased operations in the summer of 2001. Surviving IHL teams were admitted into the American Hockey League
for the 2001–02 season. Because of league rules, owners could only control one team. The DeVos family chose to move The Griffins to the AHL and The Blades ceased to exist.
Hockey is still popular in Kansas City. NHL exhibition games are held regularly in the city. The Blades were replaced by the Kansas City Outlaws
of the United Hockey League
for one season, before they ceased operations. The Missouri Mavericks
of the Central Hockey League
now play in nearby Independence, MO. In 2007, the Sprint Center
opened in downtown Kansas City
, with the goal of landing an NHL or NBA team. While NHL teams have threatened to move to Kansas City, none have done so.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
at Kemper Arena
Kemper Arena
Kemper Arena is a 19,500 seat indoor arena, in Kansas City, Missouri.It is named for R. Crosby Kemper Sr., a member of the powerful Kemper financial clan and who donated $3.2 million, from his estate for the arena...
.
The idle franchise the Toledo Goaldiggers
Toledo Goaldiggers
The Toledo Goaldiggers was an International Hockey League franchise that played in Toledo, Ohio from 1974 to 1986. Prior to the Goaldiggers, the city's hockey team was the Toledo Blades, which played under that name from its founding in 1963 until 1970, when it changed its name to the Toledo...
was purchased by Russ and Diane Parker and moved to Kansas City in 1990. A name the team contest was held and the most popular name was "Jazz" (to complement the St. Louis Blues across the state). However, the Parkers did not want to use a name already used in sports (the NBA's Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
). The second most popular name was "Blades," which coincidentally was the name of the IHL franchise which preceded the Goaldiggers in Toledo
Toledo Blades
The Toledo Blades were the International Hockey League franchise of Toledo, Ohio from 1963 to 1970. The team name was changed to Hornets in 1970. The storied franchise left Toledo after the 1974–75 season for Lansing, Michigan, where they became the Lansing Lancers. The Blades were the Regular...
.
For the 1990-91 season, the Blades was an independent team. From 1991-1996, they were the primary affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Facing pressure from the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, the Sharks and Blades went their separate ways in the summer of 1996. This meant the Blades were once again an independent team. This coincided with the sale of the team to the DeVos family, which also owned stake in rival teams the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
and the Orlando Solar Bears. The DeVos family made drastic changes to the team on and off ice, many of which did not bode well with longtime fans. For their final season, The Blades became the primary affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. The affiliation agreement was meant to be for two seasons, but the Blades, and the entire IHL, ceased operations one year into the partnership.
The Blades' best season was in 1991–92, when they won the Turner Cup
Turner Cup
The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...
, under the coaching of Kevin Constantine
Kevin Constantine
Kevin Lars Constantine has coached hockey teams in the NHL, IHL, and numerous major junior hockey leagues. He is coach of HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:...
. The Blades advanced to the Turner Cup finals again in 1995, only to lose in four straight games to the Denver Grizzlies.
During the 2000 season, rumors became reality, as the DeVos family attempted to move The Blades franchise to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. Faithful fans held a "Save the Blades" rally to persuade local government to keep the team in Kansas City. In the end, the team would not move to Oklahoma City due to disputes between the league and both cities. By this point, the DeVos family was no longer welcome by Blades fans and was often booed on their rare appearances in Kansas City.
Due to financial troubles, the IHL ceased operations in the summer of 2001. Surviving IHL teams were admitted into the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
for the 2001–02 season. Because of league rules, owners could only control one team. The DeVos family chose to move The Griffins to the AHL and The Blades ceased to exist.
Hockey is still popular in Kansas City. NHL exhibition games are held regularly in the city. The Blades were replaced by the Kansas City Outlaws
Kansas City Outlaws
The Kansas City Outlaws were a professional ice hockey team, a former member of the UHL. They played their home games at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, where the NHL's Kansas City Scouts played for two seasons during the 1970s, and later the International Hockey League's Kansas City Blades...
of the United Hockey League
United Hockey League
The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States...
for one season, before they ceased operations. The Missouri Mavericks
Missouri Mavericks
The Missouri Mavericks are an ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League. They play in Independence, Missouri, USA, located near Kansas City, Missouri, at the Independence Events Center.-History:...
of the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
now play in nearby Independence, MO. In 2007, the Sprint Center
Sprint Center
Sprint Center is a large, multi-use indoor arena in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The building is located at 14th Street and Grand Boulevard, on the east side of the Power & Light District...
opened in downtown Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, with the goal of landing an NHL or NBA team. While NHL teams have threatened to move to Kansas City, none have done so.
NHL Alumni
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