For all you, like me, who loved the Blazers and missed them when they were gone they are back. Kind of :-)
The Oklahoma City Blazers Junior Hockey Club is a member of the Western States hockey League. Players from literally all around the world come here to play, hoping to get noticed by D1 schools, or minor league teams. They players range from 16-20 yrs old. They play with heart, determination, and a great amount of skill.
The coaching staff is comprised of former players, several of whom, played for the Blazers.
If you want to REALLY support hockey in OKC come out and watch this team. 10mins into my first game I had already had more fun than I EVER had at a Barons game.

Blazers Belt Tulsa 7-2

The Oklahoma City Blazers moved back into second place in the Midwest division Saturday with a convincing 7-2 win over the in state rival Tulsa Jr Oilers. The Blazers dominated the visiting Oilers for the entire night peppering them in shots by a count of 55 to 17.

Vacek Gets The Call - OKC Blazers Hockey (http://okcblazershockey.com/?p=714)

The Oklahoma City Blazers announced today that defenceman Lubos Vacek has been loaned to the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League. The 6’2” 200 pounder from the Czech Republic will head to Waterloo tomorrow and skate with the team Wednesday. Vacek is second on the Blazers roster with 21 assists despite playing only 13 games.

“We are extremely excited for Louie. Waterloo called us a few weeks ago about him and wanted to have a look at him then but he was injured. A scout that works for an NHL team had seen Lubos and notified the Blackhawks that he was worth taking a look at. That says alot about Lubos as a player right there,” said head coach Tyler Fleck.

Vacek becomes the third Blazer to get called up but the first to the USHL. The United States Hockey League is the number 1 junior league in the USA for sending players to NCAA Div 1 schools and the National Hockey League.

I went to the game at the Cox, but that was it. The BIC is terrible and is not a place to enjoy watching hockey.

"If you want to REALLY support hockey in OKC come out and watch this team. 10mins into my first game I had already had more fun than I EVER had at a Barons game"

1. You are saying Barons fans are not REALLY supporting OKC hockey? 2. The fact that you wouldn't enjoy watching the Barons, especially with how good they have been and are again this year, is just sad and pathetic.

Borchard goes to one Blazers game and he is riding their dick. That is funny. Funny how you didn't even know they existed for almost 3 months. Good job Blazer boy.

I went to the game at the Cox, but that was it. The BIC is terrible and is not a place to enjoy watching hockey.

Sorry, but I gotta ask. What is BIC?

Sorry, but I gotta ask. What is BIC?

Blazers Ice Centre

Wow...and the put-downs start already. Tell you what, I'll support the team I want. You support your team. And I won't call you anything, or accuse you of "riding their dick"(?) just to make myself feel better. K?

Wow...and the put-downs start already. Tell you what, I'll support the team I want. You support your team. And I won't call you anything, or accuse you of "riding their dick"(?) just to make myself feel better. K?

You put Barons fans down with "If you REALLY want to support hockey in OKC"

Wow...and the put-downs start already. Tell you what, I'll support the team I want. You support your team. And I won't call you anything, or accuse you of "riding their dick"(?) just to make myself feel better. K?

You start the divisive bull****. You hate Funk so damn much that you can't see two inches past your nose to realize we have a world class brand of hockey being played in downtown. Yeah, you hate Funk. Big deal. I hate him as much as you do but the fact of the matter is that I am going out to support the players who are busting their ass night in and night out and providing an enjoyable brand of hockey. I don't need the circus BS that the Blazers to sidetrack just how crappy the hockey was. This team has a great chance to win the Calder Cup. But go ahead with your grudge. We don't people like you at the Barons games complaining the whole night anyway.

You put Barons fans down with "If you REALLY want to support hockey in OKC"

That's quite a stretch. Never ONCE did I say "You barons fans arent supporting hockey?!? Really?
But I don't want to be accused of besmirching anyone. So let me rephrase;
If you want to support some talented young guys who are trying to showcase their hockey talents, and who really need your support, come watch The Junior Blazers. As a matter of fact, you can even sign up to host a player in your home, if you really want to get involved.
Better?
And I didn't even call anyone a (an);
idiot
dolt
knuckle-dragger
stupid
okie

And I didn't even have to use a sexual innuendo like "riding their dick"

You start the divisive bull****.
And again with the cursing. Geez. This is why I got tired of being on the barons thread. Its why I started this one; A BLAZERS THREAD. You do realize that YOU'RE the one now being divisive now. If you don't want to, then stay on the barons thread, please. I promise to not be "divisive" on it anymore.

You hate Funk so damn much that you can't see two inches past your nose to realize we have a world class brand of hockey being played in downtown. Yeah, you hate Funk. Big deal. I hate him as much as you do but the fact of the matter is that I am going out to support the players who are busting their ass night in and night out and providing an enjoyable brand of hockey. But it's NOT an enjoyable brand of hockey TO ME. And that's ALL I've ever said! I meant what I said, I enjoyed the Junior Blazers game more than I EVER did a barons game. I'm really sorry if you STILL have a problem with that.

I don't need the circus BS that the Blazers to sidetrack just how crappy the hockey was.
Well I do. And apparently a large number of people in Oklahoma City do, as well, judging by the attendance numbers for the barons. And that is NOT a put down. It's just a fact. I'm sorry if you have a problem with that, as well. There is just something about the team, the game, the experience, whatever that does NOT resonate with a large number of people here.

This team has a great chance to win the Calder Cup. But go ahead with your grudge. We don't people like you at the Barons games complaining the whole night anyway. Well, that's good. because you won't have to see me at any games. Feel free to add an invective:
idiot
dolt
knuckle-dragger
stupid
okie

And I didn't even have to use a sexual innuendo like "riding their dick"

good for you http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1402940280932139417.jpg

I am sorry the Barons don't feature consistent fights and don't provide 24/7 access to hanging out with the players

maybe if they did they wouldnt be closing up shop?

I am sorry the Barons don't have Ben Buckland (anymore) screaming at the top of his lungs and mispronouncing players names

maybe if they did, they wouldnt be leaving town?

maybe if they did they wouldnt be closing up shop?

So, by your standards, the NHL, AHL and ECHL should not even exist.

Uh, not following you, sport? Didn't say anything about any of those things. I was just talking about whatever it is that the barons DON'T have. Couldn't tell you what THAT is, really. I tried to like them. I really did.
Remember, we all told how this was better? And how stupid we had all been for 17yrs to have EVER darkened the door of that knuckle-dragging, goon, circus BS that we had all been watching? Okies!
Remember how we loved that team? Idiots!
Remember how we all went to away games, even as far away as Nashville and Memphis, just to support that goon squad? Dolts!

This is like saying you'd rather watch Babe Ruth summer league baseball over AAA baseball.

So you can't tell anyone what the Barons don't have, other than you hate their owner and their name isn't the Blazers. Other than that, you know that the quality of hockey is worlds better than this junior league is and whatever the Blazers used to be, but have gone so far on one end of the spectrum you have to defend it now.

Let me guess, when we get an ECHL team that plays Wichita and Tulsa, you probably won't be at those games either.

I love reading these threads, get some popcorn and watch everything unfold.

This is like saying you'd rather watch Babe Ruth summer league baseball over AAA baseball.

So you can't tell anyone what the Barons don't have, other than you hate their owner and their name isn't the Blazers. Other than that, you know that the quality of hockey is worlds better than this junior league is and whatever the Blazers used to be, but have gone so far on one end of the spectrum you have to defend it now.

Let me guess, when we get an ECHL team that plays Wichita and Tulsa, you probably won't be at those games either.

All I'm saying, Chief, is that I don't want to watch your team. You can ascribe whatever connotations to it that you want. If you want to watch them, then do that. But I'd hurry if I were you. They aren't going to be around much longer

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The BIC is alright to watch hockey at, consider that the level of hockey played there really doesn't belong anywhere grander. I've seen several OU games there. Just bundle up.

The BIC is alright to watch hockey at, consider that the level of hockey played there really doesn't belong anywhere grander. I've seen several OU games there. Just bundle up.

In fact, there's something special about watching hockey in the cold. I won't say I prefer it, but it's worth doing some.

It's wonderful to see so many people on here fervidly defending AAA-level hockey in Oklahoma City.

For a while there, I thought the hockey fans in this town had collectively lost their minds.

It's wonderful to see so many people on here fervidly defending AAA-level hockey in Oklahoma City.

For a while there, I thought the hockey fans in this town had collectively lost their minds.

LOL! I count (4) people. And for the last time I have NEVER said that the "level" of hockey was better in the CHL than it is in the AHL. Seriously? What I have said, do say, and always will say, is that I did not/cannot get into the Barons. And I have always said/always WILL say, I was never a true hockey fan. i was/am a Blazers fan. My wife and I even went to Tuesday night $1 Beer Night. Still couldn't get into it. And I keep saying, apparently I'm not alone in my assessment of the experience. For whatever reason that is, it's still true.
It was when the Blazers moved into the Ford Center that all the free tickets stories started. All I know is that when they played at the Cox Center, just to compare apples-to-apples, they never had to curtain off the upper deck, or place ad banners over the seats just to make it not look so empty.
Hell, in the first 5 years or so of the CHL the Blazers hardly EVER ran any kind of promotion. They didn't have to!
As a personal memory, back in 1993, in February I believe, there was a home game. An ice storm blew through Oklahoma City that day, and the roads were pretty treacherous. My friend and I went to the game that night, and there were over 6,000 other people there, as well.
On May 3, 1999 The Blazers had a playoff game against Huntsville. There were between 6-8,000 people there, even during a tornado warning! A friend of ours who lived in Norman, waited til the storm had passed, and then STILL came to the game!
The Barons can't pull in 4,000, on a clear warm night when they give a way a car! That's not a slam, btw, it's just the truth.

LOL! I count (4) people. And for the last time I have NEVER said that the "level" of hockey was better in the CHL than it is in the AHL. Seriously? What I have said, do say, and always will say, is that I did not/cannot get into the Barons. And I have always said/always WILL say, I was never a true hockey fan. i was/am a Blazers fan. My wife and I even went to Tuesday night $1 Beer Night. Still couldn't get into it. And I keep saying, apparently I'm not alone in my assessment of the experience. For whatever reason that is, it's still true.
It was when the Blazers moved into the Ford Center that all the free tickets stories started. All I know is that when they played at the Cox Center, just to compare apples-to-apples, they never had to curtain off the upper deck, or place ad banners over the seats just to make it not look so empty.
Hell, in the first 5 years or so of the CHL the Blazers hardly EVER ran any kind of promotion. They didn't have to!
As a personal memory, back in 1993, in February I believe, there was a home game. An ice storm blew through Oklahoma City that day, and the roads were pretty treacherous. My friend and I went to the game that night, and there were over 6,000 other people there, as well.
On May 3, 1999 The Blazers had a playoff game against Huntsville. There were between 6-8,000 people there, even during a tornado warning! A friend of ours who lived in Norman, waited til the storm had passed, and then STILL came to the game!
The Barons can't pull in 4,000, on a clear warm night when they give a way a car! That's not a slam, btw, it's just the truth.

I think what pisses people off isn't the fact that you're not a hockey fan, but the insufferable schadenfreude you're eager to display at every mention of the failure of a team that we actual hockey fans were proud to have here.

Funk ran off all the hockey fans in OKC. There is no exciting hockey atmosphere and no one lives and ides with what's happening on the ice. It's a boring corporate atmosphere much like the rest of town now. Sure the Baron's passing much crisper and hits the mark,the line shifts very efficient, skating faster but no one cares.

Oklahoma City will enter a new era of ice hockey which will be more compatible with our current population and corporate support. The ECHL which has defunct CHL members Tulsa & Wichita will make for a renewed rivalry.

Funk had a chance to get the AHL in Oklahoma City prior to the arrival of the NBA (Hornets 2 years; 2008 Thunder).

The Funks portfolio with sports in OKC includes:


1. IGA Tennis Tour - tour lost the Memphis: IGA tennis caught in promoters' fuss | News OK (http://newsok.com/iga-tennis-caught-in-promoters-fuss/article/2754255)
2. CHL Oklahoma City Blazers (defunct): OKC Blazers cease operations; city to talk with AHL team | News OK (http://newsok.com/okc-blazers-cease-operations-city-to-talk-with-ahl-team/article/3382433)
3. PCL Oklahoma City RedHawks (sold): Bob Funk Jr. confirms Oklahoma City RedHawks owners in sales negotiations | News OK (http://newsok.com/bob-funk-jr.-confirms-oklahoma-city-redhawks-owners-in-sales-negotiations/article/3467391)
4. USL-Pro Oklahoma City Energy (in-process): Energy FC considers where to build soccer stadium in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/energy-fc-considers-where-to-build-soccer-stadium-in-oklahoma-city/article/4748134)
5. AHL Oklahoma City Barons (cease operation after 2014-15): OKC Barons To Cease Operations At End Of Current Season - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/27661845/okc-barons-to-cease-operations-at-end-of-current-season)


Prodigal LLC/Express Sports had a chance to get OKC into Major League Soccer (MLS) back in 2002--three years before the Hornets arrived in OKC (2005-06/2006-07); MLS franchise fee was $10 million--now it will exceed $75-$100 million.

Will timing continue to be a possible key to success?

Oklahoma City will enter a new era of ice hockey which will be more compatible with our current population and corporate support. The ECHL which has defunct CHL members Tulsa & Wichita will make for a renewed rivalry.

Funk had a chance to get the AHL in Oklahoma City prior to the arrival of the NBA (Hornets 2 years; 2008 Thunder).

The Funks portfolio with sports in OKC includes:


1. IGA Tennis Tour - tour lost the Memphis: IGA tennis caught in promoters' fuss | News OK (http://newsok.com/iga-tennis-caught-in-promoters-fuss/article/2754255)
2. CHL Oklahoma City Blazers (defunct): OKC Blazers cease operations; city to talk with AHL team | News OK (http://newsok.com/okc-blazers-cease-operations-city-to-talk-with-ahl-team/article/3382433)
3. PCL Oklahoma City RedHawks (sold): Bob Funk Jr. confirms Oklahoma City RedHawks owners in sales negotiations | News OK (http://newsok.com/bob-funk-jr.-confirms-oklahoma-city-redhawks-owners-in-sales-negotiations/article/3467391)
4. USL-Pro Oklahoma City Energy (in-process): Energy FC considers where to build soccer stadium in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/energy-fc-considers-where-to-build-soccer-stadium-in-oklahoma-city/article/4748134)
5. AHL Oklahoma City Barons (cease operation after 2014-15): OKC Barons To Cease Operations At End Of Current Season - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/27661845/okc-barons-to-cease-operations-at-end-of-current-season)


Prodigal LLC/Express Sports had a chance to get OKC into Major League Soccer (MLS) back in 2002--three years before the Hornets arrived in OKC (2005-06/2006-07); MLS franchise fee was $10 million--now it will exceed $75-$100 million.

Will timing continue to be a possible key to success?

That's the head scratcher, Jr is the kiss of death for local sports and the city is hitching the wagon to him for soccer while Brad Lund who has a great record of success seems to be persona non grata.

Both Bob Jr's in this city are complete hacks at what they do, Funk and Barry.

What cracks me up about this whole Oklahoma City minor hockey lunacy is that the knuckle-draggers are going to create higher ticket prices and we'll be stuck with the high school kids at a local rink. Insane.

Check the ticket prices for the local ECHL teams. Cheapest ticket for the Allen Americans ($18), Tulsa Oilers ($18) and Wichita Thunder ($15) and they're all end zone seats (not bad actually). The 'good' seats are outrages.

Barons ticket? $10. Ten freagin bucks....sit anywhere you want.....for a better level of hockey.

Okies deserve everything they get.

https://www.facebook.com/okcblazers/posts/889891794376826:0
10004
Rivalry Revived
By Hockey Analyst Gio Flamminio
When a Canadian or northern American hockey fan first hears about hockey in Oklahoma, the reaction usually will consist of a chuckle or shake of the head. This rang true for myself personally back in 2005 at the conclusion of my junior hockey career. Several of my teammates traveled to the southern state to play for the Oklahoma CIty Blazers, a member of the Central Hockey League. All I was told was that it was a pro league, lots of fighting and older players. A few months later I signed with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL, thinking I had found a good starting point for my pro hockey career. Within two weeks of traveling to the sunny skies of California, I got the call. I had cleared waivers in the ECHL and that same Oklahoma CIty Blazers squad was requesting my services. So cross country I trekked, to the OKC heartlands, with no clue whatsoever what I was getting myself into. I can only thank to this day some of the mentoring members of that Blazers squad in my rookie season of 2005-2006. Names like Tyler Fleck, Marty Standish, Jared Dumba, Michel Beausoleil, just to name a few. Interestingly enough, the aforementioned quartet of talent and toughness managed to commence their careers in OKC and finish them in Tulsa. I was fortunate enough to play anywhere from 2 to 4 seasons with each of these amazing players and take part in one of the more rugged inner state rivalries of its time. To this day there was nothing more cool then slamming ten thousand people into the Ford Center(now Chesapeake Energy Arena) and squaring off against the Oilers. Fortunately enough, we had exceptionally strong teams both my years in OKC and we managed to win most of our home games. The road tests however, were an entirely different animal. Prior to the BOK opening, the Oilers played their home tilts out of the downtown Convention Center. I hated playing at this place. The fans were pretty much on top of you, the ice seemed slow and the boards felt like concrete. Zero give. The Turnpike rivalry usually produced its more competitive games at this particular venue. A lot of hitting, a ton of chirps, usually low scoring and last, yet certainly not least, some good ol' time hockey fights. 4-5 a game it seemed like back then. As a rookie defenseman, I caught myself sometimes being a spectator to the madness, needing to give my head a shake occasionally, reminding one's self of the task at hand. Ahh yes, the good ol' days. When the Blazers folded up shop in 2009, the Turnpike rivalry had seen its final days. The end of an era some would say. However the Blazer name has resurrected, thanks in large part to a gentleman who played over a decade between the 2 clubs, now Blazer head coach Tyler Fleck. His team's inaugural season has re-fueled an inner state battle between two up and coming clubs, needing to go through each other to obtain success. Although the rivalry may seem young and less significant to some, the roots and origins of this great clash holds true to many. Both team's bench bosses have suited up for their respective team's pro club at one time or another and look to commence a new legacy. The games thus far this season have been gritty, fast paced and dirty. For a former player, now restricted to the press box, it truly is great to see these kids battle for each other and the name on their jersey. Head coach Marty Magers and his young junior Oilers squad host the visiting Blazers Sunday, 10:30am Central Standard time at the Oilers Ice Center, Tulsa, OK.

10005

That's the head scratcher, Jr is the kiss of death for local sports and the city is hitching the wagon to him for soccer while Brad Lund who has a great record of success seems to be persona non grata.

Persona non grata? He brought that upon himself.

It's unfortunate; Lund has torn his draws with too many people (expression for showed his ass). Brad Lund was correct: "Oklahoma City is not a hockey town; but a Blazers' town."

Can't defend the past record of the Funks with local sports franchises. I am impressed with how they have enjoyed success with the USL-Pro soccer operation. The big question will be can they get it right this time?

State Fair Arena has potential; it would relieve the congestion downtown when you have the Thunder playing home games along with other events at the Cox Convention Center; some of these events could be shifted to Fair Park.


https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTeUFPo4SAbyml1EnszUcypvprNaPJfH OSLz3-uQqlaZ-_twd18
A roof similar to that on OU's Lloyd Noble Center.
State Fair Arena needs a new roof (last arena with a catenary roof span). Let's get rid of this cable roof system; it's risky, maybe an accident waiting to happen. It would help to get an ice plant back into the venue along with some new seats--a total renovations.

New roof on tap for Oklahoma City arena | News OK (http://newsok.com/new-roof-on-tap-for-oklahoma-city-arena/article/3942595)


Support the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers' hockey team; these kids need your support.

10018

10054

That's awesome. He's a pretty good hockey player for a high school junior.

Speaking of high school, did you see that Dale crushed Davenport in girls basketball last weekend? Man, if Claire Chastain keeps playing like she is, she could land a scholarship to Panhandle State.

Romanov WSHL Player of the Week - OKC Blazers Hockey (http://okcblazershockey.com/?p=793)
Romanov WSHL Player of the Week
10066

Blazers Win 7th Straight - OKC Blazers Hockey (http://okcblazershockey.com/?p=790)

The Oklahoma City Blazers beat the Dallas Snipers today 5-1. Kirill Romanov had a pair of goals and Jakub Krejci was rock solid making 33 saves on 34 shots. It was the Blazers 24th win of the season closing the gap on first place El Paso Rhinos to 6 points. The Blazers head back from Dallas today and will look forward to 9 game home stand beginning this weekend against the red hot Wichita Jr Thunder.
10077

10078 10079

I will be at the Barons games

Borchad's head would explode if he found out Funk had any involvement with the Junior blazers...

10085

I will be at this game since it is at the Cox (Was at the first one) and I always love helping the kids out with teddy bears.

Also, the Blazers say on their Facebook page (reply to a question) that there is a chance they will be in the Myriad full time next season with the Barons gone.

Superfreak LIVE!!! - OKC Blazers Hockey (http://okcblazershockey.com/?p=829)
10096

10111

Well, that is too bad.

Tend The Farm ~OKC Blazers forced to cancel Canadian road trip (http://www.tendthefarm.com/okc-blazers-forced-to-cancel-canadian-road-trip/)

Well, that is too bad.

Tend The Farm ~OKC Blazers forced to cancel Canadian road trip (http://www.tendthefarm.com/okc-blazers-forced-to-cancel-canadian-road-trip/)

That really sucks.

That really does suck. Just a big pissing contest, apparently