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-present	Hartford Wolf Pack
2010–2013	Connecticut Whale
Championships
Regular season titles	one (1984–85)
Division titles	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). 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 (2017–2021)

Binghamton Black Bears of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) (2021–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