Erie Blades

Erie Blades
City Erie, Pennsylvania
League NAHL (1975–77)
NEHL (1978–79)
EHL (1979–81)
AHL (1981–82)
Operated 1975–1982
Home arena Erie County Field House
Colors Orange, black and white
Affiliates Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Islanders
Franchise history
1975–1982 Erie Blades
1982–1993 Baltimore Skipjacks
1993–present Portland Pirates
Championships
Regular season titles three
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)
Playoff championships three
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)

The Erie Blades name was used by two professional ice hockey teams in Erie, Pennsylvania. Both teams played their home games in the Erie County Field House. After the second Blades team folded, the void was filled by the Erie Golden Blades, a team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1982 to 1987. They changed the colors from Orange and Black to Gold and Blue with the name change.

1975–1977

The first team was a member of the North American Hockey League from 1975 to 1977. Nick Polano was the team's coach both seasons, and returned to coach the second Blades team for its first three seasons.

1978–1982

The second team was a member of the Northeastern Hockey League during the 1978–79 season, then the Eastern Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Blades won three consecutive league championships during these seasons. The Blades were then admitted to the American Hockey League for the 1981–82 season.

The AHL Blades continued affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Lou Angotti replaced Polano as the head coach in 1981. After a poor season on the ice, the team was relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, merging with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, for the 1982–83 season. Coach Angotti and sixteen players were transferred to the Skipjacks.

Season-by-season results

Regular Season
Season Games WonLostTiedPoints Goals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1975–76 7437361 753102983rd, West
1976–77 7437334 782572515th, NAHL
1978–79 6947193 973442601st, NEHL
1979–80 7046213 953492411st, EHL
1980–81 72521461104072521st, EHL
1981–82 8022526 503174256th, South
Playoffs
Season1st round2nd roundFinals
1975–76 Lost––––
1976–77 WonLost––
1978–79 Champions
1979–80 Champions
1980–81 Champions
1981–82 Out of Playoffs

External links