Binghamton's five hockey clubs have been apart of three different
hockey leagues over the last 31 years. The elite minor league for
small hockey towns is the American Hockey League, which Binghamton
has been apart of for 22 years and will enter its 23rd year this
season as the Binghamton Senators embark on their 3rd season.
Binghamton teams have also played in the North American Hockey
League & the United Hockey League. Below is a look at the
leagues that Binghamton is and has competed in.
North American Hockey League (1973 -
1977)
Binghamton
"Broome" Dusters - 4 years - 1973-1977
The North American Hockey League's short lived four seasons
helped to create the most notorious hockey movie, Slap Shot, and
was the beginning for professional hockey in Binghamton, New York.
The NAHL was created in part by Binghamton Hall of Famer, Jim
Matthews, who was also the Owner/President of the Dusters. The
NAHL was originally apart of the Eastern Hockey League until the
EHL split in 1973. The 
Binghamton "Broome" Dusters
played in the league for all four seasons and played against the
famous "Hanson" Brothers. To quickly explain the actual
story behind the Slap Shot Hanson's: Jeff, Steve, and Jack Carlson
played together on the Johnstown Jets, on the same line. Dave
Hanson also played on the Jets, and the four shared a house
together for a time. When it came time to cast the movie, Jack was
off playing in the World Hockey Association, so Hanson got the
part playing Jack. And all three movie "brothers" took
the name of Hanson. Jeff Carlson plays Jeff Hanson, Steve Carlson
plays Steve Hanson, and Dave Hanson plays Jack Hanson. The Dusters
made it to the Lockhart finals in 74/75 but lost to the Johnstown
Jets in a sweep by the Jets and the "Hanson's".
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United Hockey League (1991 - Present)
BC Icemen - 5 years -
1997-2002
The United Hockey League is a professional AA-level minor
hockey league in the United States. It was established in 1991 as
the Colonial Hockey League and renamed to the United Hockey League
in 1997. 
The BC Icemen joined the league in 1997 and played five
seasons though not winning the Colonial Cup. The BC Icemen won two
division titles while playing in the UHL in the 98/99 and 99/00
seasons. The Colonial Cup is awarded to the team which wins United
Hockey League playoffs.
Colonial Cup Winners: 2004 - Muskegon Fury, 2003 - Fort Wayne
Komets, 2002 - Muskegon Fury, 2001 - Quad City Mallards, 2000 -
Flint Generals, 1999 - Muskegon Fury, 1998 - Quad City Mallards,
1997 - Quad City Mallards, 1996 - Flint Generals, 1995 - Thunder
Bay Senators, 1994 - Thunder Bay Senators, 1993 - Brantford Smoke,
1992 - Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks
United Hockey League Website -
http://www.theuhl.com
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American Hockey League (1936-Present)
Binghamton
"Broome" Dusters - 3 years - 1977-1980
Binghamton
Whalers - 10 years - 1980-1990
Binghamton Rangers - 7 years -
1990-1997
Binghamton Senators - 3 years - 2002-2005
The American Hockey League is the only AAA-level professional
hockey league in the United States. Founded in 1936, the AHL has
been one of the top affiliation leagues for the National Hockey
League for 68 years. After accepting six of the now defunct International Hockey League teams as members, the AHL has 28 teams
with the 29th joining in the 2005-2006 season. The Binghamton
"Broome" Dusters were the first Binghamton team in the
league when they joined in the 77/78 season. 
The Binghamton
Whalers played ten seasons in the AHL and made the Calder Cup
finals only once in the 81/82, the only Binghamton team to make it
to the Calder Cup finals where they were defeated by Brunswick
four games to one. 
The Binghamton Rangers won four division titles
in the seven years they played in the American Hockey League. 
The
Binghamton Senators added one more division title in their first
season in the AHL though being knocked out of the playoffs in the
semi-finals. The Calder Cup is awarded to the team which wins the American
Hockey League playoffs. The Calder Cup is named after
Frank Calder, the National Hockey Leagues first president. Calder
was instrumental in the formation of the AHL in the mid 30's and
served as the NHL's president until February 1943.
Calder Cup winners:
2004 - Milwaukee Admirals, 2003 - Houston
Aeros, 2002 - Chicago Wolves, 2001 - Saint John Flames, 2000 -
Hartford Wolf Pack, 1999 - Providence Bruins, 1998 - Philadelphia
Phantoms, 1997 - Hershey Bears, 1996 - Rochester Americans, 1995 -
Albany River Rats, 1994 - Portland Pirates, 1993 - Cape Breton
Oilers, 1992 - Adirondack Red Wings, 1991 - Springfield Indians,
1990 - Springfield Indians...more Calder Cup winners
American Hockey League Website -
http://www.theahl.com
