Bloomington Blaze

The Bloomington Blaze were a short-lived minor league hockey team out of Bloomington, IL, playing from 2011-2013. For two seasons, the team played at the then-named U.S. Cellular Coliseum in the CHL. The Blaze were created after the Bloomington Prairie Thunder, also of the CHL, folded after failing to come to an agreement on a new lease with the facility. The Blaze weren’t particularly successful on the ice in their two seasons, with a combined 52 wins in 132 games, missing the playoffs both seasons. In 2013, the team joined the SPHL as it changed ownership and re-branded to the Bloomington Thunder.