Arkansas Riverblades

For the 1999-00 season, the Arkansas Riverblades began playing at the (then) brand new Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The team was initially named the Arkansas Razorblades, with a hockey playing hog logo, but the University of Arkansas objected, and the Razorblades were renamed the Riverblades before they had even touched the ice.

The Riverblades competed directly against the Arkansas Glaciercats, who played in the older Barton Coliseum approximately 8 kilometres away. The Glaciercats were in their second season at the time and eventually disbanded after losing the cross-town contest.

The Riverblades hit their stride on the ice during their second season, going 34-24 and reaching the second round of the playoffs. The team won more than 30 games and entered the playoffs once again over the next two years, extending its success on the ice. However, the Glaciercats' departure did not result in increasing attendance for the Riverblades and the team ceased operations in 2003.