Timeline

Date Event
March 15, 1990 Kansas City Council approves contract with Calgary businessman Russ Parker to bring professional hockey back to Kansas City.
April 26, 1990 Blades chosen as the nickname for the new team.
July 5, 1990Former NHL goaltender Doug Soetaert is hired as head coach and directory of hockey operations.
August 3, 1990Rick Barkovich is the first Blades player signed.
September 21, 1990The Blades open their first training camp at Bode Ice Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.
October 5, 1990The Blades play their first IHL game versus the Phoenix Roadrunners.
October 24, 1990The Blades win their first IHL game versus the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
March 30, 1991 The Blades announce an affiliation with the San Jose Sharks of the NHL.
April 3, 1991Doug Soetaert is named General Manager.
July 11, 1991Kevin Constantine is named head coach.
October 26, 1991The Blades win their tenth consecutive game to start the season, establishing a record.
February 19, 1992The Blades clinch their first playoff spot.
March 26, 1992The Blades win the IHL Western Conference Regular Season Championship.
April 3, 1992 The Blades are awarded the Huber Trophy, as the regular season champions.
April 10, 1992The Blades win their first playoff game versus the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (5-3 BLADES WIN).
April 18, 1992 The Blades win their first playoff series, against the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (4-1).
May 12, 1992The Blades win the Turner Cup.
March 31, 1993The Blades earn a second consecutive playoff berth.
April 9, 1993The Blades win a record 11 straight games.
April 13, 1993The Blades finish the regular season 12-0-1 in the final 13 games.
May 10, 1993The Blades are eliminated from playoffs in the Western Conference Finals by the San Diego Gulls (4-2).
June 16, 1993Kevin Constantine is named head coach of the San Jose Sharks.
August 19, 1993Jim Wiley is named head coach of the Blades.
April 5, 1994Blades defenseman Mike Colman is killed in a car accident.
April 12, 1994The Blades are eliminated from playoff contention despite a 40 win, 90 point season.
January 11, 1995Blades have to postpone a game due to fog. The Milwaukee Admirals could not fly into Kansas City in time for the game.
April 5, 1995The Blades clinch a playoff berth.
April 25, 1995Dody Wood's hat trick against the Detroit Vipers propels the Blades to a 4-3 win and a 3-2 series win to move on to the second round of the playoffs.
April 30, 1995The Blades defeat the Peoria Rivermen, 1-0, in double overtime in Peoria, Illinois. It is the longest 1-0 playoff game in IHL history.
May 7, 1995The Blades eliminate the Peoria Rivermen 4-1, the largest playoff upset in IHL history.
May 24, 1995The Blades eliminate the Kalamazoo Wings 4 games to 3 to reach the Turner Cup Finals.
June 2, 1995The Denver Grizzlies win the Turner Cup, 4 games to none in Kansas City, against the Blades.
October 2, 1995A little Blade is born. Blades defenseman Claudio Scremin and wife Jennifer welcome Matthew Lawrence Scremin into the world.
October 10, 1995Blades head coach Jim Wiley and assistant coach Mark Kaufman are promoted to the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks assign Vasily Tikhonov (head coach) and Drew Remenda (assistant coach) as the new Blades coaches.
December 2, 1995Kansas City fans are treated to an appearance by NHL standout and all-star goaltender Curtis Joseph. Joseph was playing for the Las Vegas Thunder waiting for the St. Louis Blues to trade him. Joseph got a 3-2 win and was named first star.
December 21, 1995Pat Ferschweiler is traded to the San Francisco Spiders for Jeff Madill.
January 4, 1996NHL all-star goaltender Arturs Irbe is sent down to Kansas City on a conditioning assignment by the San Jose Sharks.
January 5, 1996Blades defenseman Ken Hammond retires.
February 26, 1996Drew Remenda is fired as assistant coach. GM Doug Soetaert assumes the position of associate coach to Vasily Tikhonov.
March 12, 1996Daniel G. and Pamella G. DeVos buy the Blades.
April 13, 1996The Blades clinch a playoff berth.
April 30, 1996The Blades are eliminated by the Utah Grizzlies, 3 games to 2 in the first round.
May 16, 1996San Jose moves their affiliation to the Kentucky Thoroughblades (Lexington, Ky.) of the American Hockey League. The Blades operate as an independent.
June 19, 1996Don Jackson is named head coach.
August 19, 1996Veteran defensemen Normand Rochefort and Jim Kyte sign with the Blades.
August 23, 1996Blades defenseman Jeff Batters is killed in an automobile accident.
October 26, 1996The Blades play their first game in Canada, a 4-2 loss at Winnipeg vs. the Manitoba Moose.
April 5, 1997The Blades equal their longest home win streak at nine. They clinch a playoff berth for the third straight year.
April 13, 1997Blades forward David Bruce set a new record for most goals at 43, on his way to 45.
April 24, 1997The Blades are eliminated by the Utah Grizzlies, 3 games to none in the first round.
July 17, 1997Blades captain Gary Emmons retires. He accepts a position with the team as director of player personnel.
July 21, 1997Head coach Don Jackson resigns. He accepts a position with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
August 5, 1997Paul MacLean is named head coach.
October 3, 1997Gordie Howe plays with the Detroit Vipers playing his sixth decade of hockey. The game was a 5-4 shootout win against the Blades. It was Howe's 2,421st and final game.
December 16, 1997Goaltender Jon Casey retires from professional hockey.
December 17, 1997Claudio Scremin plays 500th regular season game as a Blade.
February 21, 1998The Blades retire the number 15 of Gary Emmons. The fourth largest crowd in franchise history is in attendance to see the glorious moment.
March 18, 1998The Blades clinch a playoff spot for fourth consecutive season.
April 25, 1998The Blades eliminate the Utah Grizzlies, 3 games to one, to advance to the second round.
May 13, 1998The Blades are eliminated by the Long Beach Ice Dogs, 4 games to 3 in the second round.
July 9, 1998The Blades introduce their new logo and jersey at a party for season-ticket holders.
August 21, 1998Gary Emmons is named assistant coach.
October 12, 1998Former finance director Kay Caldwell is arrested for felony stealing by the Kansas City Police Department. Caldwell stole what was reported to be in the six figure range from the team. She was charged with a Class C felony and bond was set at $50,000.
August 21, 1998Blades head coach Paul MacLean gets 200th win.
March 13, 1999For the first time ever, the Blades wear a jersey other than their normal road/home jerseys. They wear St. Patrick's Day green jerseys. Scratch cards were sold to win one of the special jerseys. The money from the sales went to benefit the Muscual Dystrophy Association (MDA). The event raised $16,300 for MDA.
April 9, 1999The Blades earn their fifth consecutive playoff berth.
April 25, 1999The Blades are eliminated by the Long Beach Ice Dogs in the first round.
October 3, 1999The Blades begin their tenth season in the International Hockey League.
June 16, 2000Blades owner Dan DeVos announces that the radio voice of the Blades for the last ten seasons, Bob Kaser, will be going to Grand Rapids. Kaser accepted a position as executive director of broadcasting for DP Fox Sports and Entertainment. His duties included play-by-play for the Grand Rapids Griffins and finding his replacement, Gregg DeVitto, to become the new voice of the Blades.
June 19, 2000The Blades announce an affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.
October 6, 2000The Blades begin their first season as an affiliate for the Vancouver Canucks. It is also the last season for the Blades, unbeknownst to everyone.
October 31, 2000Jarkko Ruutu scores his first professional hat trick for the Blades.
February 16, 2001Former NHL enforcer comes to KC with the Grand Rapids Griffins. McSorely was suspended from the NHL for a year and was hoping to lead up to a come back by playing with the Griffins.
April 15, 2001The Blades get a 5-4 victory against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Unbeknownst to most, this would be the last Blades game.
June 4, 2001The International Hockey League announces it will cease operations. The Kansas City Blades fold.
Last updated August 10, 2002