Binghamton Whalers
| 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- | Hartford Wolf Pack |
| 2010–2013 | Connecticut Whale |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles |
one (1984–85) |
| Division Championships |
two (1981–82, 1984–85) |
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.
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). Ironically, the Hartford 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. Also ironically, after the Whalers left Hartford, the Binghamton Rangers moved in to fill the void.
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–present)
Trivia
- Like the parent Hartford Whalers, the Binghamton Whalers played Brass Bonanza after the team scored a goal.
- The Whalers logo was a Hartford Whalers logo turned onto its side, forming a convenient "B" to signify the team's home. A subtle change--the curvature of the insides of the W--was made to make the logo look more B-like.
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
- Binghamton Whalers on FunWhileItLasted.net
- binghamtonhockey.net - Hockey history of the Binghamton, New York region
- The Internet Hockey Database - Binghamton Whalers