1977 USHL Playoffs: Blades vs. Milwaukee Admirals The Grand Rapids Blades were a minor-pro hockey team in the United States Hockey League (USHL). They played their home games at Stadium Arena (now DeltaPlex Arena), located in Walker, Michigan. The Blades were the first professional hockey team to call Grand Rapids home since the IHL's Rockets relocated to Huntington, West Virginia in 1956. 1976-77 was the franchise's first season. Nelson LeClair was Player/Coach for the Blades, and Joe Zalokar was the General Manager. The team's first season was a successful one, to say the least. The Blades ran away with the regular season crown, sporting a 34-11-3 record. Their 71 points were 11 better than second-place Green Bay and 23 ahead of Southern Division champion Milwaukee. Grand Rapids led the league in goals scored, with 336. Gary Ford, who spent 9 years with the Muskegon Mohawks, had 37 goals and 105 points to lead the team....