League Central Hockey League Division Northeast Owner(s) Bob Funk Founded 1992 | Conference Northern Colors Burgundy, Gold, White Head coach Doug Sauter Color Burgundy, Gold, White | |
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Home arena Myriad Convention Center
Ford Center Location Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Arenas Cox Convention Center, Chesapeake Energy Arena | ||
The Oklahoma City Blazers were a professional ice hockey team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that played in the Central Hockey League. The Blazers played at the Ford Center, located in downtown Oklahoma City. On July 2, 2009, the Blazers ceased operations after failing to reach a lease agreement with the city.
Beginning with the 2010–11 season, the market was served by the Oklahoma City Barons, an American Hockey League team playing at Cox Convention Center as the top affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers.
History
In 1992, a new Central Hockey League began play in the same territory as the older league. It also acquired several team names in tribute to the former CHL, including the Oklahoma City Blazers. The new Blazers began play in the Myriad Convention Center, the same home arena as the old team.
They averaged 9,128 fans per game over 17 seasons. The franchise led the CHL in attendance in each of its 17 seasons in the league. On the ice, the Blazers excelled as well, winning an nine regular season division championships (including seven straight from 1996 to 2003), five regular season points titles, and two CHL championships in 1996 and 2001. The franchise's two greatest stars, Joe Burton and Hardy Sauter, are the CHL's first and third all-time career leading scorers.
In 2002, the Blazers changed home venues to the brand new Ford Center.
In 2009, the Blazers withdrew their application a lease extension with the Ford Center and ceased operations. It had been reported at the time that city officials had been in negotiations with the American Hockey League for an expansion franchise. Following months of speculation, Oklahoma City was officially granted an AHL franchise on February 10, 2010, when the NHL's Edmonton Oilers re-activated their dormant affiliate and created the Oklahoma City Barons. They began play in the 2010–11 season playing out of the smaller Cox Convention Center (formerly the Myriad) and were operated by the former owners of the Blazers, Bob Funk.