Binghamton Black Bears

Last updated
Binghamton Black Bears
The Black Bears Logo Black.png
City Binghamton, New York
League Federal Prospects Hockey League
DivisionEmpire
Founded2021
Home arena Visions Veterans Memorial Arena
ColorsBlack, green, white
Owner(s)Andreas Johansson [1]
Head coachBrant Sherwood
Media Press & Sun-Bulletin
WENE
Franchise history
2021–presentBinghamton Black Bears
Championships
Regular season titles0
Division titles1(2024)
Playoff championships1(2024)

The Binghamton Black Bears are a minor professional hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) based in Binghamton, New York, with home games at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena. [2]

Contents

History

A new Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) team owned by Andreas Johansson, the majority owner of the Watertown Wolves, was approved to play at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, New York, on May 12, 2021.

The team began play in the 2021–22 season, replacing the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL) that had relocated to Utica, New York. [3] Former ECHL player James Henry was initially named the team's first head coach, [4] but he left in August 2021 to join the ECHL's Reading Royals as an assistant coach. [5] Former Danville Dashers and Indianapolis Ice head coach Rod Davidson was then hired to replace Henry. [6] For 2022-23, veteran coach Gary Gill was hired to take over the team as head coach. [7] He left the team in December, at which time Brant Sherwood was hired as interim head coach, [8] and following the 2022-23 season the interim tag was removed.

In late July 2023 prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, the Black Bears announced a lease extension at least through the 2026-27 season. However, the lease allows the team to be replaced if an AHL or higher level professional sports team shows interest in replacing them. [9]

On May 10th, 2024 the Binghamton Black Bears won the Commissioner's Cup at home against the Carolina Thunderbirds. They became the third team in league history, and the first since 2013 to sweep the entire playoffs. It also marked the first time in Binghamton's 51 years of minor pro hockey in which a team won a championship on home ice. [10]

Season-by-season results

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonGPWLOTLPts [lower-alpha 1] PctGFGAPIMDivision Semi FinalsSemifinalsFinals
2021-22593225294.5312882831057L, 1-2 Danbury ——
2022-235636155110.6552851951422W, 2-0 Watertown L, 2-1 Danbury—
2023-245635107120.7142761701502W, 2-0 Watertown W, 2-0 Motor City W, 3-0 Carolina

Notes

  1. ↑ The FPHL awards 3 points for a regulation time win, 2 points for an overtime win, and 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss

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References

  1. ↑ "Staff". Binghamton Black Bears. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Introducing the Binghamton Black Bears". FHL. May 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Binghamton Black Bears to Join FPHL Beginning in 2021-2022". WICZ-TV . May 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "James Henry Named First Head Coach in Black Bears History". OurSports Central. June 16, 2021.
  5. ↑ "JAMES HENRY, FORMER ADIRONDACK THUNDER CAPTAIN, NAMED ASSISTANT COACH OF READING ROYALS". Reading Royals . August 23, 2021.
  6. ↑ "BLACK BEARS ANNOUNCE NEW HEAD COACH". Binghamton Black Bears. August 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ "News: BLACK BEARS NAME GARY GILL NEW HEAD COACH - Binghamton Black Bears". www.binghamtonblackbears.com. 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  8. ↑ "News: BRANT SHERWOOD NAMED INTERIM-HEAD COACH - Binghamton Black Bears". www.binghamtonblackbears.com. 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  9. ↑ "Black Bears extended through 2026-2027 season". WIVT - NewsChannel 34. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  10. ↑ "Black Bears win Commissioner's Cup Championship, earn first title in franchise history". WIVT - NewsChannel 34. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-21.


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