Peoria Blades
| Peoria Blades | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City: | Peoria, Illinois |
| League: | Continental Hockey League |
| Founded: | 1972 |
| Home Arena: | Lakeview Park Rink |
| Head Coach: | Mark Olson |
| General Manager: | Mark Olson |
The Peoria Blades were an American semi-professional ice hockey team located in Peoria, Illinois. The team played in the Continental Hockey League for 10 seasons and was the most successful franchise in the history of the league, winning 3 championships.
History
Former teammates with the Pekin Stars, Pete BardezBanian and Mark Olson formed the Blades in 1971 as an independent outfit at an outdoor rink.[1] A little over a year later, the two were able to get agreements from several other local teams to form a new league called the Continental Hockey League. While still playing for the club, BardezBanian became the team's president while Olson worked as the head coach and general manager.[2] Olson's three sons Joe, Mike and Ric, all played for the Blades and they quickly turned the team into a league powerhouse.[3]
Results
- 1971-72
- 11/27: Iowa State University - Peoria Blades 16:1
- 12/11: Peoria Blades - Illinois State University B 12:1
- 1/16: Peoria Blades - Bradley Bees 9:2
- 1/22: Peoria Blades - Bradley University 4:3
- 2/5: St. Louis Pepsi Cola - Peoria Blades 5:4
- 2/5: Peoria Blades - St. Louis Pepsi Cola 4:2
- 2/11: Peoria Blades - Bradley University
- 2/19: Chicago Cougars - Peoria Blades 10:7
- 2/25: Bradley University - Peoria Blades 8:3
- 2/26: Bradley University - Peoria Blades 4:1
- 3/11: Peoria Blades - Joliet 6:6
Blades went 5-5-1 on season.
References
- ↑ "Pete BardezBanian", Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved on May 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Mark Olson", Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved on May 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Peoria hockey stalwarts Joe and Ric Olson die hours apart: 'We are devastated'", Journal Star, June 4, 2019. Retrieved on May 2, 2024.
- ↑ Peoria Journal Star, assorted issues