Omaha Knights
With the announcement that the NHL was coming to Minnesota in the mid-1960s, the Minnesota Rangers fled to Nebraska, where they became the Omaha Knights. They were not the first club in Omaha to adopt the Knights moniker.
From 1939 until 1942, an AHA team was the first to bear the name. From 1945 through 1951, there was also a USHL squad. In 1959, another Knights franchise entered the IHL, only to relocate to Toledo and become the Blades in 1963. In 1963-64, another Omaha Knights team was a founding member of the CHL. Following the 1964-65 season, that franchise relocated to Houston and became the Apollos.
Finally we arrive at the Minnesota Rangers, who relocated from Minnesota for the 1966-67 CHL season. Through 1974-75, these Knights would call Nebraska home for nine seasons. During that period, they reached four CHL finals, winning three trophies in 1970, 1971, and 1973. After the 1974-75 season, the Knights folded. In the 2000s, an AHL team would restore the Knights moniker for a few years.
From 1939 until 1942, an AHA team was the first to bear the name. From 1945 through 1951, there was also a USHL squad. In 1959, another Knights franchise entered the IHL, only to relocate to Toledo and become the Blades in 1963. In 1963-64, another Omaha Knights team was a founding member of the CHL. Following the 1964-65 season, that franchise relocated to Houston and became the Apollos.
Finally we arrive at the Minnesota Rangers, who relocated from Minnesota for the 1966-67 CHL season. Through 1974-75, these Knights would call Nebraska home for nine seasons. During that period, they reached four CHL finals, winning three trophies in 1970, 1971, and 1973. After the 1974-75 season, the Knights folded. In the 2000s, an AHL team would restore the Knights moniker for a few years.
