Bloomington's pro hockey team will serve as a developmental franchise for the New York Rangers, thanks to a new affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League team.
The partnership was unveiled at a news conference Thursday at Grossinger Motors Arena, where the team will play its inaugural season starting in the fall.
The Bison will compete in the ECHL, bringing a steady hockey presence to the arena for the first time in five years. With the New York Rangers as a partner, the Bison gain access to a wealth of resources, including player development pathways and strategic support from the Rangers and its American Hockey League [AHL] affiliate, the Hartford Wolfpack, said team officials.
“We are invested in this team and invested in this community," said Matt Harlow, director of hockey operations for the Wolfpack. The AHL is considered an intermediary professional hockey league between the ECHL and NHL.
"We share the same philosophies — the big one being developing players while winning games," Harlow said.
Head coach announced
Phillip Barski will serve as the Bison’s head coach and general manager, building the team from the ground up. Originally from Ontario, Barski has 15 years of coaching experience in youth, semi-professional and professional leagues.
“I’m a Canadian and I love Canada,” Barski said. “But I also love America. I love what America stands for: the land of opportunity. When I think of America, I think of the ECHL.”
The ECHL has delivered more than 800 players to the NHL.
“Their dream is to play in the National Hockey League,” Barski said. “The ECHL is the starting point of their journeys. With you supporting our players and our organization, what I believe to be true is that we’re teaching ourselves and teaching our children to chase their dreams.”
The announcements came days after the death of Scott Mcilrath, who was known professionally as Scott Alan. Alan was killed Monday in a car accident involving two SUVs in rural eastern McLean County. Previously the emcee for the another ECHL team, the Indy Fuel, Alan was slated to be the Bison’s vice president of operations.
Bison and Fuel chairman Jim Hallett said Alan was a “tremendous person.”
“Full of energy, full of enthusiasm — just a great guy,” Hallett said before asking for attendees to take a moment of silence. “Great with the fans, great with the kids, great with the players. He was really the face of the Indy Fuel and we loved him dearly.”
