Erie Blades

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.

Erie Blades
CityErie, Pennsylvania
LeagueNAHL (1975–77)
NEHL (1978–79)
EHL (1979–81)
AHL (1981–82)
Operated1975–1982
Home arenaErie County Field House
ColorsOrange, black and white
AffiliatesBoston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Islanders
Franchise history
1975–1982Erie Blades
1982–1993Baltimore Skipjacks
1993–2016Portland Pirates
2016–presentSpringfield Thunderbirds
Championships
Regular season titles3:
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)
Playoff championships3:
(1978–79 NEHL)
(1979–80, 1980–81 EHL)

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
SeasonGamesWonLostTiedPointsGoals
for		Goals
against		Standing
1975–767437361753102983rd, West
1976–777437334782572515th, NAHL
1978–796947193973442601st, NEHL
1979–807046213953492411st, EHL
1980–8172521461104072521st, EHL
1981–828022526503174256th, South
Playoffs
Season1st round2nd roundFinals
1975–76Lost––––
1976–77WonLost––
1978–79Champions
1979–80Champions
1980–81Champions
1981–82Out of Playoffs

References
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