The Oklahoma City Blazers, who led the Central Hockey League in attendance last season and had the league's fourth-best record, will not play during the 2009-10 season.

At 17 years, Oklahoma City was the longest running member of the CHL but decided to cease operations for the 2009-10 campaign after declining to sign a new lease with the Ford Center.

Also, the CHL announced Thursday that the New Mexico Scorpions - who are seeking a new owner - will not play the 2009-10 season. The Odessa Jackalopes have been in a division with New Mexico for most of their existence.

New Mexico also took the 2005-06 season off while waiting for the completion of a new arena in Rio Rancho. Whether or not the franchise will regroup and return to the CHL is unknown.

The Daily Oklahoman has reported that the Blazers could be positioning themselves for a move into the higher-level American Hockey League for the 2010-11 season.

In a news release, the CHL said a new division alignment and regular-season schedule should be announced in the next few weeks.