Before the Black Bears Presented By Hinds Energy

BINGHAMTON- Another season is upon the Southern Tier of New York.  The leaves have began to change, the temperatures have began to drop and pumpkins have arrived all around Upstate New York.  Fall is upon us and so is hockey season!  

The Black Bears will raise a banner for the third-straight season on Saturday night!  It seems just like yesterday, Binghamton defeated Pee Dee in the Commissioners Cup Finals 3-1, to become first team in league history to win three-straight titles.  Some things stayed the same, but there are quite a few differences for the upcoming season. 

The changes

The FPHL will feature 17 teams and has adapted a two conference and four division model, similar to the NHL's alignment.  The Black Bears will be members of the Atlantic Division within the Eastern Conference.  Also similar to the NHL, the FPHL has switched to the 2pt system in regards to league standings.  For any victory during the regular season the victorious team will receive two points, regardless if the win occurred during regulation time, overtime or a shootout.

The same

The FPHL members will play a 56-game schedule starting in mid-October ranging until mid-April.  Fans can watch all season long on the Binghamton Black Bears YouTube page.  Binghamton hosts Watertown for the third-straight season on Banner Raising Night presented by Illuminations Lighting. The Black Bears are 1-1-0 when they kick off the season on Banner Raising Night.  

THis year

Head Coach Brant Sherwood has named Playoff MVP, CJ Stubbs, the third captain in Black Bears franchise history.  Stubbs finished last season with 97 points including 39 goals.  He also named FPHL Forward of the Year  Ivan Bondarenko an assistant captain, joining Jesse Anderson.  Re-joining the trio is Cheechoo Lathlin, Gehret Sargis, Scott Ramaekers, Zac Sirota and FPHL Goaltender of the Year Dominik Tmej.  For the first time since the 2023-24 season, a majority of the Black Bears roster will have not played for Binghamton before Saturday night.  

the opponent

The Watertown Wolves could be described as a "Rebirth".  Head Coach Brent Clarke returns to the Wolves after being away from the organization since they won the Commissioners Cup in the 2021-22 campaign.  The Wolves roster features four former Black Bears with Taylor Cutting, Bret Parker, Jake Schultz and 2023-24 Commissioners Cup champion, Nolan Egbert.  Also joining the Wolves coaching staff this summer is former Black Bear, Cam Yarwood. Watertown failed to make the playoffs last season, finishing 7th in the Empire Division with a 14-36-6 record.  

The details

Fans can purchase tickets by visiting binghamtonblackbears.com or call 607-722-7367.  Doors open at 6:00pm on Saturday night, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a rally towel presented by the Visions Federal Credit Union and first 2,500 fans will receive a magnet schedule courtesy of the Binghamton Black Bears Booster Club.  Make sure to be in your seats by 6:45pm in order to be ready for the Banner Raising Ceremony presented by Illuiminations Lighting.  Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm!