Kentucky Thoroughblades

Not to be confused with Kentucky Thoroughbreds.

The Kentucky Thoroughblades were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, who existed from 1996 to 2001. The Thoroughblades were based in Lexington, Kentucky, playing home games at Rupp Arena. The Thoroughblades were an affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.

Kentucky Thoroughblades
City	Lexington, Kentucky
League	American Hockey League
Operated	1996–2001
Home arena	Rupp Arena
Colors	Spruce, plum and white
Affiliates	San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders
Franchise history
1996–2001	Kentucky Thoroughblades
2001–2006	Cleveland Barons
2006–2015	Worcester Sharks
2015–present	San Jose Barracuda
Championships
Division titles	2 (1999–00, 2000–01)

History

The Thoroughblades were the first professional ice hockey team to play in Lexington, Kentucky. Initially, attendance was high. During the 1997–98 season, Kentucky averaged 7,847 fans per game, despite a losing record on ice.^[1] Attendance decreased in the next three seasons, even with two consecutive division championships. In their final season, attendance averaged only 4,461 fans per game.^[2]

In 2001, the team moved to Cleveland, Ohio, becoming the Cleveland Barons. In 2006, the team then moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, becoming the Worcester Sharks. In 2015, the team moved to San Jose, California to become the San Jose Barracuda.

The void in Lexington was replaced in 2001, by another minor league hockey team, the Lexington Men O' War of the ECHL, lasting one season in Lexington.

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	OTL	Points	Goals for	Goals against	Standing
1996–97	80	36	35	9	0	81	278	284	3rd, Mid-Atlantic
1997–98	80	29	39	9	3	70	241	278	3rd, Mid-Atlantic
1998–99	80	44	26	7	3	98	272	220	2nd, Mid-Atlantic
1999–00	80	42	25	9	4	97	250	211	1st, Mid-Atlantic
2000–01	80	42	25	12	1	97	273	212	1st, South

Playoffs

Season	1st round	2nd round	3rd round	Finals
1996–97	L, 1–3, Hershey	—	—	—
1997–98	L, 0–3, Hershey	—	—	—
1998–99	W, 3–2, Hershey	L, 3–4, Philadelphia	—	—
1999–00	W, 3–1, Louisville	L, 1–4, Hershey	—	—
2000–01	L, 0–3, Hershey	—	—	—

Notables

• Miikka Kiprusoff
• Johan Hedberg
• Evgeni Nabokov
• Vesa Toskala
• Jonathan Cheechoo
• Dan Boyle
• Zdeno Chara
• Andy Lundbohm
• Matt Bradley
• Garrett Burnett

Career leaders

• Goals: 88 (Steve Guolla, 1996–99)
• Assists: 132 (Steve Guolla, 1996–99)
• Points: 220 (Steve Guolla, 1996–99)
• PIM: 692 (Garrett Burnett, 1998–00)