Toledo Blades

Not to be confused with Toledo Blade.

Toledo Blades/Hornets
City	Toledo, Ohio
League	IHL
Operated	1963–1974
Home arena	Toledo Sports Arena
Colors	Gold and Black
Owner(s)	Ken Wilson (1963–1964)
General manager	Ken Wilson (1963–1966)
Head coach	Ken Wilson (1966)
Franchise history
1959–1963	Omaha Knights
1963–1970	Toledo Blades
1970–1974	Toledo Hornets
1974–1975	Lansing Lancers
Championships
Regular season titles	1 (1963–64)
Turner Cups	2 (1963–64, 1966–67)

The Toledo Blades and Hornets were the International Hockey League franchise of Toledo, Ohio from 1963 to 1974. The first four years (1959-1963) of the franchise was in Omaha, NE as the Omaha Knights. After moving to Toledo for the 1963-64 season, they were renamed the Blades. The team name was changed to Hornets in 1970. The franchise left Toledo after the 1973–74 season for Lansing, MI, where they became the Lansing Lancers.

The Blades were the Regular Season Champions in 1963–64, with 86 points and were awarded the Huber Trophy. The Blades won the Turner Cup in 1964 and 1967.

The Leading Rookie Award was awarded to Blades players Don Westbrook in 1964, Bob Thomas in 1965, and Wayne Zuk in 1970.

Blades goaltender, Glenn Ramsay, won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the fewest goals against during the 1963–64 regular season, his third Norris Trophy in a row. Glenn also won his sixth and final Norris Trophy in 1967.

In 1965, team captain, William "Chick" Chalmers, was awarded the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy, for the player voted most valuable through his display of outstanding playing ability and sportsmanlike conduct over the course of the regular season by the league coaches.

After the Hornets left in 1974, the IHL awarded a new franchise to Toledo, the Goaldiggers.

Season-by-season record

Turner Cup Champions †

League Leader in points *

Division Champions ¤

Season	Team	Division	Regular Season								Post Season
			Finish	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GP	W	L	GF	GA	Result
1963–64	Blades	—	1st	70	41	25	4	86*	278	207	13	8	5	43	39	Won in semifinals, 4-3 (Port Huron) Won in Turner Cup Finals, 4-2 (Fort Wayne) †
1964–65	Blades	—	4th	70	32	36	2	66	297	327	4	0	4	12	24	Lost in semifinals, 0-4 (Fort Wayne)
1965–66	Blades	—	6th	70	20	48	2	42	248	366	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1966–67	Blades	—	3rd	72	39	31	2	80	284	247	10	8	2	36	23	Won in semifinals, 4-0 (Dayton) Won in Turner Cup Finals, 4-2 (Fort Wayne) †
1967–68	Blades	—	5th	72	29	29	14	72	261	307	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1968–69	Blades	—	2nd	72	41	23	8	90	282	235	8	3	5	36	38	Advanced in Round 1, 1-2 (Columbus, Port Huron eliminated) Lost in semifinals, 2-3 (Muskegon)
1969–70	Blades	Southern	2nd	72	32	33	7	71	241	265	3	0	3	6	11	Lost in quarterfinals, 0-3 (Des Moines)
1970–71	Hornets	—	7th	72	17	44	11	45	211	319	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1971–72	Hornets	Northern	4th	72	26	46	0	52	270	371	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1972–73	Hornets	Northern	3rd	74	36	33	5	77	257	261	4	1	3	5	13	Lost in quarterfinals, 1-3 (Port Huron)
1973–74	Hornets	North	3rd	76	33	42	1	67	260	302	3	1	2	9	13	Lost in quarterfinals, 1-2 (Flint)
11 Seasons		0 Division Titles 1 Huber Trophy		792	346	390	56	748 (.472)	2,889	3,207	45	21	24	147	161	7 Playoff Appearances 2 Turner Cup Championships

Franchise records

All-time leaders

Goals
1	Greg Jablonski	271
2	William Chalmers	167
3	Stan Maxwell	140
4	Mauril Morrissette	127
5	Jim Sanko	115

Assists
1	William Chalmers	358
2	Greg Jablonski	352
3	John Gravel	299
4	Stan Maxwell	194
5	Jim Sanko	191

Points
1	Greg Jablonski	623
2	William Chalmers	525
3	John Gravel	376
4	Jim Sanko	306
5	Stan Maxwell	334

External links

• A to Z Encyclopaedia of Ice Hockey Toledo Blades/Hornets History
• Blades Game Pucks