Binghamton Black Bears: Difference between revisions

The team began play in the 2021–22 season, replacing the [[Binghamton Devils]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) that had relocated to [[Utica, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wicz.com/story/43875616/binghamton-black-bears-to-join-fphl-beginning-in-20212022 |title=Binghamton Black Bears to Join FPHL Beginning in 2021-2022 |website=[[WICZ-TV]] |date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> Former [[ECHL]] player James Henry was initially named the team's first head coach,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/james-henry-named-first-head-coach-in-black-bears-history/n-5706452 |title=James Henry Named First Head Coach in Black Bears History |website=OurSports Central |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref> but he left in August 2021 to join the ECHL's [[Reading Royals]] as an assistant coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalshockey.com/en/staff/news/2021/james-henry-former-adirondack-thunder-captain-named-assistant-coach-of-reading-royals |title=JAMES HENRY, FORMER ADIRONDACK THUNDER CAPTAIN, NAMED ASSISTANT COACH OF READING ROYALS |website=[[Reading Royals]] |date=August 23, 2021}}</ref> Former [[Danville Dashers (FPHL)|Danville Dashers]] and [[Indianapolis Ice]] head coach Rod Davidson was then hired to replace Henry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.binghamtonblackbears.com/news/black-bears-announce-new-head-coach |title=BLACK BEARS ANNOUNCE NEW HEAD COACH |website=Binghamton Black Bears |date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> For 2022-23, veteran coach Gary Gill was hired to take over the team as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-July 22, 2022 |title=News: BLACK BEARS NAME GARY GILL NEW HEAD COACH - Binghamton Black Bears |url=http://www.binghamtonblackbears.com/news/black-bears-name-gary-gill-new-head-coach |access-date=2023-07-July 13, 2023 |website=www.binghamtonblackbears.com}}</ref> He left the team in December, at which time Brant Sherwood was hired as interim head coach,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-December 29, 2022 |title=News: BRANT SHERWOOD NAMED INTERIM-HEAD COACH - Binghamton Black Bears |url=http://www.binghamtonblackbears.com/news/brant-sherwood-named-interim-head-coach |access-date=2023-07-July 13, 2023 |website=www.binghamtonblackbears.com}}</ref> and following the 2022-232022–23 season the interim tag was removed.

In late July 2023 prior to the start of the 2023-242023–24 season, the Black Bears announced a lease extension at least through the 2026-272026–27 season. However, the lease allows the team to be replaced if an AHL or higher level professional sports team shows interest in replacing them. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-July 27, 2023 |title=Black Bears extended through 2026-2027 season |url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/top-stories/black-bears-extended-through-2026-2027-season/ |access-date=2023-07-July 29, 2023 |website=WIVT - NewsChannel 34 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 10th10, 2024, the Binghamton Black Bears won the Commissioner's Cup at home against the Carolina Thunderbirds. They became the third team in league history, and the first since 2013 to sweep the entire playoffs. It also marked the first time in Binghamton's 51 years of minor pro hockey in which a team won a championship on home ice. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-May 10, 2024 |title=Black Bears win Commissioner's Cup Championship, earn first title in franchise history |url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/sports/binghamton-black-bears/black-bears-win-commissioners-cup-championship-earn-first-title-in-franchise-history/ |access-date=2024-05-May 21, 2024 |website=WIVT - NewsChannel 34 |language=en-US}}</ref>