Los Angeles Blades

The Los Angeles Blades moniker is a historic hockey name in the City of Angels. The first team to use the name was the original Western Hockey League team from 1961-67. The team was originally the Victoria (BC) Cougars and moved to the newly opened Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. Tons of NHLers played for this incarnation of the Blades after their big league careers were over including Willie O'Ree, Jerry Toppazinni, Leo Labine, Wally Hergesheimer and Doug Bentley. 

Later on, the Blades name would be used by a short-lived Pacific Hockey League franchise. The PHL started in 1977 in about half a dozen west coast cities looking to recapture the magic of the old WHL but it didn't last long. These blades were a one-year entrance in 1978-79 and had 7 wins in 22 games and folded half way through the season. 

The third iteration of the Blades was the Roller Hockey International team that was one of the more successful RHI teams. The team was owned by Jeanie Buss, current minority owner of the Lakers and part of the famed Buss family. With Lakers backing, the team was one of the few in RHI that was well marketed and attracted around 5,000 fans per game to the Great Western Forum. The Blades made the playoffs each season, but unfortunately, they were knocked out each time by their rivals, the Anaheim Bullfrogs!