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Binghamton
Rangers |
1990
- 1997 |
American
Hockey League (AHL) |
Broome
County Veterans Memorial Arena |
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Rangers land an assistant coach
Press & Sun Bulletin
August 15, 1990
By Paul Stuart
Staff Writer
Their hockey careers have taken divided paths, but Al Hill and John Paddock keep winding up in the same place.
Hill, an assistant coach last season with the Hershey Bears, will join the Binghamton Rangers as an assistant to Paddock, hired as head coach three weeks ago.
Hill, 35, played on both American Hockey League Calder Cup champions coached by Paddock in Hershey (1998) and Maine (1984). The two were teammates with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1979-80.
"I've known John for a long time," Hill said. "I know what he expects". "He's a winner and he knows the fundamentals."
It's likely that Paddock's and Hill's old team, Hershey, will be the opponent when the Binghamton Rangers make their debut.
The Rangers' 1990-91 AHL opener, according to Paddock, is tentatively
set for Oct. 5, a Friday, against the Bears at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The next night the Rangers will also play at home, against the Capital District Islanders.
The AHL is putting the finishing touches on the schedule, which will be released soon.
Paddock said he was given the go-ahead to pick an assistant by Neil Smith, general manager of the New York and Binghamton Rangers. The choice was between Hill and former Maine teammate Mike Busniuk.
"Al's got a lot of respect, especially in the AHL, " Paddock said. "I think he'll be involved in all aspects of coaching."
Hill played 221 National Hockey League regular season games; all with the Flyers. His claim to fame
occurred in his first game, when he scored two goals and three assists in a 6-4 Flyers win over St. Louis on Feb. 14, 1977. The five-point total remains a record for most points by a player in his first NHL game. Hill played 655 AHL games.
Meanwhile, it looks like former Binghamton Whalers forwards Bob Bodak and Chris Cichocki will be in Rangers training camp.
Neither signing has been announced, but Paddock plans on both being in Glens Falls for the start of camp Sept. 7.
"Im assuming so," Paddock said. "I don't know if things are settled, I'll be a little worried if they're not."
The Binghamton Rangers souvenir shop in the Oakdale Mall will open today and stay open through the Christmas season.
In conjunction with the Oakdale Mall, the Binghamton Rangers will donate a percentage of the
sales to the Discovery Center; a hands-on museum for children, located in the Ross Park Zoo.
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