Bloomington Blaze
WJBC This Week May 20, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - WJBC's Stephanie Pawlowski takes a look back at the top stories and interviews of the week.
On this week's program, State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) talks about pension reforms needed in Springfield, Jeff Fritzen of the Bloomington Normal Community Campus Committee explains a new initiative to keep kids from drinking, and Normal City Manager Mark Peterson gives an update on when the new city offices in Uptown Station will open.
Plus, Central Illinois Regional Airport welcomes flights from Allegiant and Frontier, and Bloomington welcomes new Blaze coach Brian Gratz.
New Bloomington Blaze head coach Brian Gratz joined R.C. McBride and Jim Fitzpatrick in studio Wednesday. (Photo By Ryan Denham/WJBC) Gratz to be new Blaze coach
BLOOMINGTON - Former Dayton Gems coach Brian Gratz wants to help the Bloomington Blaze "rise together."
The 31-year-old Gratz was introduced as the team's new head coach Wednesday afternoon.
For the past two seasons, Gratz has been the head coach of the Central Hockey League's Dayton Gems. He coached the team to a 55-58-19 overall record during his tenure.
The Bloomington Blaze will introduce a new head coach and plans for junior hockey team on Wednesday. (Photo by Ryan Denham/WJBC) Blaze to name coach, launch junior hockey team
BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference on Wednesday to announce the club's new head coach.
The Blaze chose not to renew Paul Gardner's contract after one season with the Central Hockey League franchise. The team finished in last place (24-35-7, 55 points) in the Turner Conference in the Blaze's inaugural season.
The Bloomington Blaze are already preparing for their second season. (Photo courtesy Bloomington Blaze) 
Central Illinois Drive players celebrate a Premier Basketball League title after a 101-80 win over Rochester on April 14, 2012. (Photo courtesy Aaron Strauss/Central Illinois Drive) Drive, Blaze, prep sports on Sportstalk tonight
The coach of the Premier Basketball League-champion Central Illinois Drive, A.J. Guyton, will join WJBC's Paul Morello for Sportstalk on Monday night.
Also scheduled to appear are Bloomington Blaze General Manager David Holt, Central Catholic softball players Annie O'Malley and Rachel Ross and U-High track athletes Kyle Morris and Jordan Armstrong.
Listen to the show on WJBC 1230 AM, 93.7 FM and here on WJBC.com.
Blaze and Dashers form affiliation
BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Blaze are joining forces with a Federal Hockey League team.
Blaze officials said the team has formed an affiliation agreement with the Danville Dashers. The agreement is expected to be used to call up players from Danville to the Blaze, as well as for cross-promotional marketing.
The Blaze dropped their final three games of the season, losing the finale 5-2 to the Quad City Mallards on Saturday night in Moline. (Photo by Ryan Shippy) Blaze drop season finale to Mallards
March 24, 2012
MOLINE – The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, concluded their inaugural season with a 5-2 loss to the Quad City Mallards behind a Jeremy Boyer hat trick on Saturday night at iWireless Center.
The Mallards opened the scoring with 11:31 remaining in the opening period when Jeremy Boyer collected his own rebound on a breakaway and bounced a sharp angle shot off Blaze goalie Zane Kalemba that trickled into the net.
The St. Louis Cardinals face the Mets Saturday in Port St. Lucie. (Photo By Sarah Glenn/Getty Images) 
The Blaze scored first but could not hold on in a back-and-forth game, losing 5-3 at Missouri on Saturday night (Photo by Jackson Stevens/Jax Photography) Blaze drop another back-and-forth game at Missouri
March 23, 2012
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Bloomington Blaze, presented by Mid-Illini Credit Union, lost a back-and-forth contest to the host Missouri Mavericks 5-3 on Friday night at the Independence Event Center.
The Blaze lit the first goal lamp just 1:59 into the contest when Jordy Trottier put back a rebound from Brandon Richardson that had hit the left post, with Jon Booras earning the second assist
Kevin Tokarski and the Redbirds will play MacMurray in the home opener on March 23. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com) 
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