Oklahoma City Blazers | |
City: | Oklahoma City, OK |
---|---|
League: | Central Hockey League |
Founded: | 1965 |
Home Arena: | Fairgrounds Arena Myriad Convention Center Arena |
Affiliates: | None |
Franchise history | |
1959 to 1963: | Kingston Frontenacs |
1963 to 1965: | Minneapolis Bruins |
1965 to 1977: | Oklahoma City Blazers |
Championships | |
Playoff Championships: | 1966, 1967 |
The Oklahoma City Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the Central Hockey League between 1965 and 1977.
History[]
The team was created when the Minneapolis Bruins, then the Boston Bruins' farm team, were relocated from Minneapolis to Oklahoma City. The Blazers carried on the Bruins' farm team duty, and under Bill Levins (GM) and Harry Sinden's (head coach) tenure, the team saw several future National Hockey League stars such as 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 play for them over the years.
In 1973, the team's affiliation to the Bruins ended. The Blazers became the Toronto Maple Leafs affiliates, and more good players like Mike Palmateer, Blaine Stoughton, and Pat Boutette spent some time playing for the Blazers.
The Blazers became the farm team of the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in 1976.
All-time Scoring Leaders[]
Player GP G A PTS PIM 1. Gregg Sheppard 209 92 131 223 107 2. Brian Bradley 334 82 106 188 131 3. Ron Buchanan 190 87 99 186 97 4. Jim Lorentz 126 66 118 184 172 5. Bill Klatt 181 76 98 174 101 6. Claire Alexander 148 56 85 141 70 7. Ivan Boldirev 133 37 101 138 212 8. Tom Webster 98 58 77 135 80 9. Steve Atkinson 128 69 63 132 125 10. Lee Burgess 217 62 68 130 196