The Leagues |
A brief history of the 52 years of professional hockey in Binghamton, NY. |
Binghamton's seven hockey clubs have been apart of four different hockey leagues over the last 52 years. The elite minor league for small hockey towns is the American Hockey League, which Binghamton has been apart of for 39 years. Currently Binghamton is apart of the Federal Prospects Hockey League with fourth year team, the Binghamton Black Bears. 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 ![]() |
United Hockey League |
(1991 - 2010) |
BC Icemen |
5 years - 1997-2002 |
The United Hockey League
was 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. ![]() 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 |
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 |
15 years - 2002-2017 |
Binghamton Devils |
4 Years - 2017-2021 |
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. ![]() ![]() ![]() Calder Cup winners: Calder Cup Championship List American Hockey League Website - http://www.theahl.com |
Federal Prospects Hockey League |
(2010-Present) |
Binghamton Black Bears |
4 Years - 2021-2025 |
The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the midwestern,
southern, and northeastern United States.
![]() Commissioner's Cup Winners: Commissioner's Cup Championship List |