Binghamton Whalers
The Binghamton Whalers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, playing in Binghamton, New York, USA, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
Binghamton Whalers | |
---|---|
City | Binghamton, New York |
League | American Hockey League |
Operated | 1980–1990 |
Home arena | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena |
Colors | Green and blue |
Affiliates | Washington Capitals Hartford Whalers |
Franchise history | |
1926–1976 | Providence Reds |
1976–1977 | Rhode Island Reds |
1977–1980 | Binghamton Dusters |
1980–1990 | Binghamton Whalers |
1990–1997 | Binghamton Rangers |
1997–2010, 2013-present | Hartford Wolf Pack |
2010–2013 | Connecticut Whale |
Championships | |
Regular season titles | one (1984–85) |
Division Championships | two (1981–82, 1984–85) |
History
The Whalers were generally a successful team, making the playoffs seven times and advancing all the way to the Calder Cup Finals in 1982. However, in 1989-90, they turned in a ghastly 11-60-9 record, dead last in the league. The .194 winning percentage was the worst in AHL history at the time. After that season, the franchise was sold to the New York Rangers and their parent, Paramount Communications (formerly Gulf+Western). The Whalers moved their affiliation to Springfield the next season, where the seven remaining players from the disastrous 1990 Binghamton season helped the Indians to their seventh and final Calder Cup championship.
The market was previously served by:
- Broome Dusters of the NAHL (1973–1977)
The market was subsequently home to:
- Binghamton Rangers of the AHL (1990–1997)
- B.C. Icemen of the UHL (1997–2002)
- Binghamton Senators of the AHL (2002–2017)
- Binghamton Devils of the AHL (2017–present)
Team identity
The Binghamton Whalers' logo was simply the Hartford Whalers' logo turned onto its side. The curvature along the inside of the "W" was altered to more closely resemble the letter B, for the team's home city.
During home games, the song "Brass Bonanza" would play when the Whalers scored a goal, a practice adopted from the Hartford Whalers.
Season-by-season results
Regular season
Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980–81 | 80 | 32 | 42 | 6 | — | 70 | 296 | 336 | 3rd, South |
1981–82 | 80 | 46 | 28 | 6 | — | 98 | 329 | 266 | 1st, South |
1982–83 | 80 | 36 | 36 | 8 | — | 80 | 320 | 333 | 4th, South |
1983–84 | 80 | 33 | 43 | 4 | — | 70 | 359 | 388 | 6th, South |
1984–85 | 80 | 52 | 20 | 8 | — | 112 | 388 | 265 | 1st, South |
1985–86 | 80 | 41 | 34 | 5 | — | 87 | 316 | 290 | 2nd, South |
1986–87 | 80 | 47 | 26 | — | 7 | 101 | 309 | 259 | 2nd, South |
1987–88 | 80 | 38 | 31 | 8 | 3 | 87 | 353 | 300 | 4th, South |
1988–89 | 80 | 28 | 46 | 6 | — | 62 | 307 | 392 | 7th, South |
1989–90 | 80 | 11 | 60 | 9 | — | 31 | 229 | 366 | 7th, South |
Playoffs
Season | 1st round | 2nd round | Finals |
---|---|---|---|
1980–81 | L, 2–4, Adirondack | — | — |
1981–82 | W, 3–2, Hershey | W, 4–1, Rochester | L, 1–4, New Brunswick |
1982–83 | L, 1–4, Rochester | — | — |
1983–84 | Out of Playoffs | ||
1984–85 | W, 4–0, Springfield | L, 0–4, Baltimore | — |
1985–86 | L, 2–4, St. Catharines | — | — |
1986–87 | W, 4–3, New Haven | L, 2–4, Rochester | — |
1987–88 | L, 0–4, Hershey | — | — |
1988–89 | Out of Playoffs | ||
1989–90 | Out of Playoffs |
Team records
Single season
- Goals: 53 Paul Fenton (1985–86)
- Assists: 84 Ross Yates (1982–83)
- Points: 130 Paul Gardner (1984–85)
- Penalty minutes: 360 Jim Thomson (1986–87)
- GAA: 2.92 Peter Sidorkiewicz (1986–87)
- SV%: .901 Peter Sidorkiewicz (1984–85)
Career
- Career goals: 120 Paul Fenton
- Career assists: 181 Ross Yates
- Career points: 283 Ross Yates
- Career penalty minutes: 723 Shane Churla
- Career goaltending wins: 94 Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career shutouts: 9 Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career games: 273 Dallas Gaume
External links
- binghamtonhockey.net - Hockey history of the Binghamton, New York region
- The Internet Hockey Database - Binghamton Whalers