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
CityBinghamton, New York
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated1980–1990
Home arenaBroome County Veterans Memorial Arena
ColorsGreen and blue
AffiliatesWashington Capitals
Hartford Whalers
Franchise history
1926–1976Providence Reds
1976–1977Rhode Island Reds
1977–1980Binghamton Dusters
1980–1990Binghamton Whalers
1990–1997Binghamton Rangers
1997–2010, 2013-presentHartford Wolf Pack
2010–2013Connecticut Whale
Championships
Regular season titlesone
(1984–85)
Division titlestwo
(1981–82, 1984–85)

History

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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

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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

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Regular season

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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

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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

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Single season

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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

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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  
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