Bellingham Blazers (2012–)

The Bellingham Blazers are an Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Tier II junior ice hockey team in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). The Blazers are based in Bellingham, Washington and play home games at the Bellingham Sportsplex.[2]

Bellingham Blazers
CityBellingham, Washington
LeagueWestern States Hockey League
Founded2012
Home arenaBellingham Sportsplex
Owner(s)Whatcom Sports Commission
Head coachColten Teubert[1]
WebsiteBlazers' website
Franchise history
2012–presentBellingham Blazers

History

From 2012 to 2016, the Blazers played in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac/NPHL). In their first two seasons, the Blazers captured the Cascade Cup, awarded to the league playoff champions, and earned a spot in the USA National Tier III Championships. In 2013, coach Mark Collins was also awarded Coach of the Year when the Blazers won their first Cascade Cup. Collins was fired from team before the 2019 playoffs.[3]

In 2016, the team left the NPHL and USA Hockey-sanctioning with the intentions of joining the Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Western States Hockey League.[4]

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLOTWOTLSOLPtsGFGARegular Season FinishPlayoffs
Northern Pacific Hockey League
2012–13402216—11462041653rd of 6, NorPacWon Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Eugene Generals
Won Finals, 3–2 vs. West Sound Warriors
CASCADE CUP CHAMPIONS
2013–1440355—0070230871st of 5, NPHL
McBride Cup		Won Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Tri-City Outlaws
Won Finals, 3–2 vs. West Sound Warriors
CASCADE CUP CHAMPIONS
2014–1542337—0268269912nd of 6, NPHLWon Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Wenatchee Wolves
Lost Finals, 0–3 vs. West Sound Warriors
2015–1640309—1061212772nd of 6, NPHLWon Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Eugene Generals
Lost Finals, 0–3 vs. Wenatchee Wolves
Western States Hockey League
2016–17521536—1—311222216th of 7, Northwest
22nd of 27, WSHL		Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Butte Cobras
2017–18512820—3—592282213rd of 6, Northwest
12th of 23, WSHL		Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Tahoe Icemen
2018–1951341403—105[lower-alpha 1]2811532nd of 4, Northwest
7th of 23, WSHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans
Won Div. Finals, 2–1 vs. Seattle Totems
0–3–0–0, 6th of 6, Thorne Cup round-robin
(L, 0–6 vs. Rhinos; L, 4–6 vs. Jr. Blazers; L, 1–6 vs. Aeros)
2019–2048172632—591572324th of 5, Northwest
15th of 20, WSHL		Playoffs cancelled[lower-alpha 2]
  1. Beginning with the 2018–19 season, the WSHL began awarding 3pts for a win, 2pts for an overtime win, and 1pt for an overtime loss.
  2. Bellingham was removed from the playoffs prior to the end of the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic;[5] the entire WSHL playoffs were eventually cancelled.

Tier III Junior Hockey National Championship

The Bellingham Blazers qualified for the Tier III Junior Hockey National Championships in 2013 and 2014 by winning their league playoff championship. The Blazers have never past the round-robin stage of the tournament.

Round-robin play in pool with top four overall teams advancing to the semifinal.

YearRound-robinRecordStandingSemifinal gameChampionship game
2013L, Twin Cities Northern Lights (MnJHL) 0–6
L, North Iowa Bulls (NA3HL) 0–7
W, New Hampshire Junior Monarchs (EmJHL) 3–2		1–2–03rd of 4
National Pool		Did not advance
2014L, Flint Jr. Generals (NA3HL) 1–6
L, Northern Cyclones (EHL) 0–12
L, Springfield Pics (USPHL-Elite) 2–8		0–3–04th of 4
Pool B		Did not advance

References
  1. "2019-2020 WSHL DIVISIONAL NOTES". WSHL. August 12, 2019.
  2. "Bellingham's new junior hockey team joins Northern Pacific Hockey League". Bellingham Business Journal. August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  3. "BELLINGHAM NAMES NEW COACH". WSHL. March 26, 2019.
  4. "DAILY DISH: NPHL Done?". Junior Hockey News. April 25, 2016.
  5. "STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19". WSHL. March 8, 2020.


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