The United Hockey League awarded the Kansas City franchise to Stephen Franke, co-owner of the UHL's Fort Wayne Komets. The team announced that they would begin play that fall. The Kansas City Metropolitan Area had a long history of being home to professional Hockey teams prior to the Outlaws, including the Kansas City Pla-Mors of the American Hockey Association from 1927 to 1933, the Kansas City Greyhounds of the American Hockey Association from 1933 to 1940, the Kansas City Americans of the American Hockey Association from 1940 to 1942, the Kansas City Pla-Mors of the United States Hockey League from 1945-1949, the Kansas City Mohawks of the United States Hockey League from 1949 to 1951, the Kansas City Blues of the Central Hockey League from 1967 to 1972 and from 1976 to 1977, the Kansas City Scouts of the NHL from 1974 to 1976, and the Kansas City Red Wings of the Central Hockey League from 1977 to 1979. The Kansas City Blades were a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990 until 2001, when the IHL folded. The Blades were also based in Kansas City, Missouri, at Kemper Arena. The Outlaws began their lone season by winning back-to-back home games against cross-state rival Missouri River Otters on October 15 and October 16, 2004, and running up a 5-1 record in the first two weeks. From then on, the team's fortunes changed drastically, and the Outlaws finished last in the Western Division in 2004-2005 with a record of 28-45-7. Rob Schweyer was named the team's first captain, but when he left the team following an injury, Player/Assistant Coach Jason Ruff received the captain designation. Ruff went on to lead the Outlaws in scoring. Star players for the Outlaws included Ruff, goaltender Maxime Gingras, winger Joe Seroski, defenseman Matthieu Descoteaux, winger Jimmy Callahan and center Mark Lee. Lee started his professional tenure with the Outlaws, which jump started his career in the American Hockey League, and the ECHL. The Outlaws were coached by Darryl Williams. Joe Bucchino, formerly of the Boston Bruin and New York Ranger organizations, served as General Manager. Richard Adler was the team President, responsible for day-to-day business operations. The team had struggled to attract fans, as the reported attendance was "around 2,800" per game according to team officials. The team played their final game, an 8-1 win over the Komets on April 10, 2005. Following the finale, it was reported three days later that a local printing company, Superior Color Graphics LLC, had filed a lawsuit for non-payment against the team. The lawsuit was reported to be in totaling $45,777.56. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed. Around this time rumors began to circulate the team would move to Toledo, Ohio the following season. On April 15, 2005, the team suspended operations and officially folded, leaving Kansas City without a minor-pro hockey team once again. Hockey is still popular in Kansas City. NHL exhibition games have been held in the city. The Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL now play in nearby Independence, MO at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. In 2007, the Sprint Center opened in downtown Kansas City, with the goal of landing an NHL or NBA team. While NHL teams have threatened to move to Kansas City, none have done so.
