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 record of 11–60–9, worst in the league. The .194 winning percentage was the worst in AHL history at the time. 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 WonLostTiedOTLPoints Goalsfor Goalsagainst Standing1980–81803242 6— 702963363rd, South1981–82804628 6— 983292661st, South1982–83803636 8— 803203334th, South1983–84803343 4— 703593886th, South1984–85805220 8—1123882651st, South1985–86804134 5— 873162902nd, South1986–87804726— 71013092592nd, South1987–88803831 8 3 873533004th, South1988–89802846 6— 623073927th, South1989–90801160 9— 312293667th, South
Playoffs Season1st round2nd roundFinals1980–81 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 Playoffs1984–85 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 Playoffs1989–90 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
American Hockey League Hall of Famers AHL Hall of Fame Honored Members Name Seasons Induction Year John Anderson 1989-90 (player) 2019 Glenn Merkosky 1980-82 (player) 2018
References
External links binghamtonhockey.net - Hockey history of the Binghamton, New York region The Internet Hockey Database - Binghamton Whalers