Roller Hockey International (1993-1997)
Tombstone
Born: 1993 – RHI founding franchise
Folded: 1997
First Game: July 1, 1993 (W 11-9 @ Oakland Skates)
Last Game: August 18, 1997 (W 5-2, L 1-0 [mini-game] @ Anaheim Bullfrogs)
Murphy Cup Championships: None
Arena
Great Western Forum (16,005)11996 Los Angeles Blades Program
Opened: 1967
Marketing
Team Colors: Blue, Black & Silver21996 Los Angeles Blades Program
Ownership
Owners: Dr. Jerry Buss & Jeanie Buss
Background
The Los Angeles Blades were a professional Roller Hockey (inline skating) franchise owned by Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and run by his daughter Jeanie Buss.
The Blades’ arch rivals, both geographically and competitively, were the Anaheim Bullfrogs. Anaheim eliminated Los Angeles in the Murphy Cup playoffs in all five seasons of the Blades’ existence.
Trivia
L.A. previously had two minor league ice hockey team known as the Blades. The original Blades of the Western Hockey League skated from 1961 until 1967. An ill-conceived revival of the Blades in the Pacific Hockey League lasted just two months during the winter of 1978-79.
Roller Hockey International Shop
Editor's Pick
Wheelers, Dealers, Pucks & Bucks
A Rocking History of Roller Hockey International
Who won the first professional sports championship for the city of Anaheim? Which Roller Hockey International team owner posed for Playboy? Which RHI team’s logo did Sports Illustrated describe as looking like “a malevolent vacuum-cleaner attachment?” Which coach won two championships for two different teams in RHI’s first two seasons? Why were fans nearly ejected from the Oakland Skates’ arena for celebrating a hat trick?
Author Richard Graham takes you behind the scenes to show how Dennis Murphy created Roller Hockey International, and why Murphy might be the most unlikely, least known and most influential visionary in North American professional sports history.
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Los Angeles Blades Video
The Blades host the San Jose Rhinos at the Forum. 1994 season.
Downloads
1996 Los Angeles Blades Roster
1996 Los Angeles Blades Roster
Links
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