The Bloomington Bison are an American minor league ice hockey team based in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 2024, the team made its debut in the ECHL in 2024–25. They are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the Hartford Wolf Pack; they also have a working agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes.[1]
| Bloomington Bison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Bloomington, Illinois |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Home arena | Grossinger Motors Arena |
| Owner(s) | Hallett Sports and Entertainment |
| Affiliates | New York Rangers (NHL) Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) Carolina Hurricanes[a] (NHL) |
| Website | bloomingtonbisonhockey |
| Franchise history | |
| 2024–present | Bloomington Bison |
History
editOn January 16, 2024, the ECHL awarded an expansion team to Bloomington, Illinois.[2][3][4] The ownership group consists of Jim Hallett of Hallett Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Indy Fuel. The club will play in Grossinger Motors Arena located in Bloomington, Illinois. On May 30, it was announced that a five-year affiliation with the New York Rangers has been signed. In addition, Phillip Barski was named as the team's first head coach and general manager.[5]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Canes Announce Working Agreement With Bloomington Bison". Carolina Hurricanes. July 24, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "ECHL approves Expansion Membership for Bloomington, Illinois". Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "Pro hockey approved to play in Bloomington". Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "Bloomington lands a new pro hockey team". Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "Bloomington Bison Announce NHL Affiliation and Introduce New Head Coach". bloomingtonbisonhockey.com. May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
