For a full website devoted to the Blades, check out Kansas City Blades Tribute Site
Seasons: 1990-2001
League: International Hockey League (IHL)
Home: Kemper Arena
Championships: 1991-1992 Division, 1991-1992 Regular Season, 1992 Western Conference, 1992 Turner Cup, 1995 Eastern Conference
Affiliations: 1991-1996 San Jose Sharks (NHL), 1997-1999 Wichita Thunder (CHL), 1998-1999 Arkansas GlacierCats (WPHL), 1999-2001 Missouri River Otters (UHL), 2000-2001 Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Team Colors: Red, Silver, Black
Prior to the Blades arrival, they were the former franchise of Toledo, Ohio (Goaldiggers, 1974-1986). In a poll Jazz was the most popular entry for a name, but owners Russ and Diane Parker chose Blades. “First of all, we wanted a name with strong hockey connotations. This clearly identifies us as a hockey club.” Olathe resident Kyle Horn was the winner of the “Name the Team” contest.
The same year the Blades began play in the IHL, two other franchises started. Those were the San Diego Gulls and Albany Choppers. The Choppers didn’t finish their first season. The Gulls now play in the AHL.
One main-stay of the Blades franchise was VP/GM Doug Soetaert. Soetaert served as head coach and director of hockey operations in the team’s first season. The next season he was named GM, a position he held for 10 years. He held the title of VP for 5. In 1991-1992, the league chose him as Executive of the Year. In his 11 years, the team qualified for the playoffs 7 seasons, with a 38-32 record in post season, winning 8 of 14 series. The Blades all-time regular season record was 437-378-85.
In 1991, the Blades started an affiliation with the San Jose Sharks. Names such as Arturs Irbe, Sandis Ozolinsh, Viktor Kozlov, Jeff Odgers, and Andrei Nazarov were just a few of the future NHLers the Sharks sent the Blades. In the first year, the affiliation proved fruitful, as it allowed the Blades to be a power-house. Under the leadership of Kevin Constantine, they blew through the regular season with a franchise best 56-22-4 record. This was the best record in pro hockey and an incredible turn-around from year one. The Blades went through the playoffs with a 12-3 record and won the Turner Cup.
In the 1992-1993 season, the Blades had the league’s winningest goalie. Wade Flaherty won 34 games. They weren’t able to repeat as champions, but they did go far through the playoffs.
The Blades were given another shot at the Cup, although no one thought the 1994-1995 team could do it. Under Jim Wiley, the Blades limped to a 35-40-6 record, 76 points. The team managed to make the playoffs despite having missed the year before with a 40-31-10, 90 point effort. The league and number of teams in the playoffs had expanded. The Blades were fortunate enough to benefit from a rule that allowed them to play in the Eastern Conference because they finished with a higher point total than the last place Eastern team. In the 1995 playoffs, the Blades pulled off 3 of the top 10 upsets in IHL history to become Eastern Champions. The biggest upset belonged to the Blades after beating the Peoria Riverman in 5 games. The Blades went to the finals to lose to the Denver Grizzlies 4 games to none.
In March 1996, the Blades were purchased by Dan and Pam DeVos of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. DeVos is co-owner of the Grand Rapids Griffins with David Van Andel. The Sharks cut ties with the Blades. They moved their affiliation to a new AHL team in Lexington (Kentucky Thoroughblades). The Blades set up shop as an independent from 1996-2000. During that time, they received prospects from NHL teams on-loan. Some of those include goalie Patrick Lalime, Washington Capital forward Michal Pivonka and Calgary Flame defenseman Andrew Ference.
In July 1997, KC saw long-time Blades captain Gary Emmons retire. Soon after, he was named Director of Player Personnel. On August 21, 1998, he was named assistant coach, a position he held 2 seasons. On February 21, 1998, the Blades raised his number 15 to the rafters of Kemper Arena in a touching ceremony that featured video footage of his career and special messages from old pals, including former Blades coach Kevin Constantine.
The 1998 season would be heralded as the season that would “change the face of Kansas City hockey”. It did. On July 9th, the Blades introduced a new logo that reminded many of the New York Rangers logo. That season also saw the return of KC fave Dody Wood. A return that many said would “change the face of opponents,” as Wood was known as an enforcer.
During the 1999-2000 season, the 10th Anniversary of the team was celebrated by naming a 10th Anniversary Team. Forwards Pat Ferschweiler, Wood, and Emmons, Defensemen Mike Colman and Claudio Scremin, Goalie Wade Flaherty, and Coach Constantine were named to the team, as voted on by the fans. The celebrating was marred, as DeVos threatened to move the team to Oklahoma City. After a show of solidarity by fans at a city council meeting and Oklahoma City’s distaste for the IHL and Blades (OKC wanted to keep their Central Hockey League team), DeVos signed a 2-year agreement for Kemper and the team stayed.
For the 2000-2001 season, the Blades signed a 2-year affiliation agreement deal with the Vancouver Canucks. Players such as Steve Kariya, Brent Sopel, Josh Holden, Jarkko Ruutu and Harold Druken played for both the Blades and Canucks that season. On June 4, 2001, after weeks of speculation, the IHL folded. The last chance was the Sharks relocating their newly purchased AHL franchise in KC. This time, the Blades couldn’t be saved.
The Blades were the longest running professional hockey team in the KC metropolitan area until the Mavericks started their 12th season in 2020. To honor the accomplishment of becoming the longest-running team, the Mavericks paid tribute with Blades Tribute Night on May 20, 2021.