Kentucky
Kentucky is a state in the southeastern United States.
Its population is about 4,500,000.
Its capital is Frankfort and the largest city is Louisville.
History of hockey in Kentucky
An ice hockey team was formed in Winchester in January 1940, and challenged any team in Central Kentucky to a contest. No records exist of any taking place. Hockey made its formal debut in Kentucky on October 24, 1948, when the Louisville Blades played their first International Hockey League game against the Milwaukee Clarks at the Louisville Gardens. 7,200 spectators watched Milwaukee win, 6-4. After a first place finish in the Southern Division of the IHL, the Blades moved to the United States Hockey League for 1949-50, before folding. On February 18, 1951, there was an amateur game played at the Armory in Louisville, the Louisville Red Wings defeating the Blue Grass Blades 6-4.
Pro hockey returned to Louisville in 1953-54, with the Shooting Stars lasting one season in the IHL. The Rebels later played in the league from 1957-1960. The Icehawks competed in the ECHL from 1990-1994, and were followed by the Riverfrogs, who were in the league from 1995-1998. The Louisville Panthers were members of the American Hockey League from 1999-2001. In Lexington, the Kentucky Thoroughblades played in the AHL from 1996-2001. The Lexington Men O' War competed in the ECHL in 2002-03.
On December 8, 1956, a group of players interested in forming an amateur team in Louisville beat Indianapolis 1-0 at the Armory. The Louisville Meteors were soon formed, and they thumped the Indianapolis Junior Caps 10-3 on January 13, 1957. The Meteors lost 11-5 to the Memphis All-Stars on the road on March 23. For 1957-58, the Meteors joined the Mid-West Amateur Hockey League, finishing second behind Toledo. After a one year hiatus, the Meteors returned to the league in 1961-62, and were joined in it by the Lexington Flyers, who played at the Crystal Garden Ice Club. The previous winter, the Lexington Barons had lost their first game, 5-3 on the road to the Louisville Rebels on March 12, 1961. The teams were set to play a return game in Lexington on the 17th.
In their first MWAHL meeting of 1961-62, the Meteors and the Flyers tied 0-0 on December 3. The Meteors returned to the league for 1962-63, but the Flyers did not, and instead the Fayette County Hockey League for kids aged 8-13 was organized in Lexington. The Colts and the Junior Canadiens tied 1-1 on January 26. An all-star Lexington youth team edged Dayton 4-3, but fell 4-1 to Cincinnati. For 1963-64, the Meteors became the Louisville Blades, who captured their first MWAHL title in 1971. The team was rebranded as the Kentuckiana Blades for 1974-75, but reverted back to the Louisville Blades name the following year. Their last season was 1977. The Louisville Youth Hockey Association was established around 1982-83. In Owensboro, the eponymous Owensboro Youth Hockey Association was operating a league by 1973-74.
On January 8, 1957, the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League edged the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League 7-6 at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Another game was played at Freedom Hall on February 5, the Chicago Black Hawks edging the Buffalo Bisons 9-7, roaring back from a 6-0 deficit. The Toledo Mercurys clipped the Fort Wayne Komets 7-4 on February 24, 1961. The Komets beat the Indianapolis Chiefs 6-2 on October 13.
There is a Kentucky high school hockey championship in existence. Youth programs also exist in Convington, Lexington, Louisville and Owensboro.
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