The Solihull Barons evolved into Solihull Blaze before the start of the 1996-1997 season, finishing second in the Premier Ice Hockey League. The 1997-1998 season was one of the most successful on record as Blaze were victorious in the English National League and the ED1 North. Nine goals in each leg of the play off final against Chelmsford Chieftains gave Blaze their third trophy of the season.

The club moved into the new nine team English Premier League for the start of the 1998-1999 season. In November 1998, they were losing finalists in the English Cup. But the side were once again crowned league champions in March with a victory in Chelmsford on March 20. Play-off success followed in April with a 5-3 two-legged victory over season-long rivals, Milton Keynes Kings.

The following season, Blaze made a semi-final appearance in the 1999-2000 British National League play-offs, losing to eventual winners Fife Flyers, having finished in seventh position in their first year back at British National League level. In May 2000, the club announced that they would be heading to new surroundings, Coventry Skydome for the 2000-2001 BNL campaign.

With eight new players on board the Blaze kicked off their inaugural season at the Skydome with a decent run in the Benson & Hedges Cup and, after losing in their opening BNL game, proceeded to set a blistering pace in the league competition throughout October and November. The loss of key players, Craig Chapman (returned to USA) and Steve Chartrand (injury) at the turn of the year led to a dip in form which resulted in an eventual fourth place finish. The Play-Offs were difficult and the Blaze were unable to repeat the previous years semi-final appearance. However, the most important factor of the year was the growth in fan base from a few hundred at the start of the year to over 2000 by the end of the play-offs.

Season 2001-2002 saw few changes in the line up (Canadian Ian Burt replacing Henrik Sjodin between the pipes, Andrew McNiven joining in place of AJ Kelham and Steve Carpenter returning to Blaze colours being the main changes.) The Season started with fine run in the Findus Challenge Cup which saw Blaze qualify for the Semi-Finals. This run included the first return visit to Hobs Moat Road in Solihull to take on the reformed Barons (both games saw Blaze comfortable winners). An injury to McNiven saw ex-Steeler/Panther/Giant Steve Roberts join up with the Blaze and set the league on fire. A storming October/November saw the Blaze matching new-boys Dundee Stars all the way. The Finals weekend of the Challenge Cup saw Blaze comeback from 3-0 down in the semi-final to dramatically beat Basingstoke and go on to meet Fife in the Final. Flyers dominated the Final however, as tired legs caught up with Blaze. Returning to the league, and the Blaze continued in fine form throughout splitting results with the Stars. Stars greater consistency, and their ability not to drop points against mid-table teams left them top of the league with the Blaze runners-up again. The Play-Offs saw the Blaze top their qualification group and then beat Guildford, resoundingly, over the two legged semi-final. The Final saw them take on the Stars and loose out by the narrowest of margins, 8-7, over the two legs - bridesmaids for the third time in the season.