Bloomington’s new hockey team has started building a roster for its inaugural season this fall.
Bloomington Bison head coach and general manager Phillip Barski, who was hired in May, said he's been impressed with the progression of the expansion team and feels fans will notice the difference in a higher level of play in the ECHL than they grew accustomed to with the hockey teams that previously played in Bloomington.
“I think the athletes that will be here in Bloomington are exceptional hockey players; a lot of them have been drafted to the National Hockey League,” Barski said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas. "There’s going to be players here who are on two-way and one-way American deals which are one level below the National Hockey League.”
The Bison is affiliated with the NHL’s New York Rangers and has a working agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bloomington has hosted several hockey teams over the years at Grossinger Motors Arena since it opened in 2006, but none had sustained success.
According to Barski, the ECHL tends to be underrated because many hockey fans tend to overlook the skills of many of the top players.
Another difference fans will see, he said, is more community involvement and a focus on the fans to ensure they have a good experience at games. Promotional deals, among other offers, will be featured during the team's 36 home games.
Barski addressed the importance of putting on a good show for both hockey fanatics and those simply looking for a good time.
“Oftentimes the kids don’t know if you’ve won or lost, “Barski said, “but they’ll leave here knowing that they had a real good entertainment value.”
Barski said he is determined to put the Bloomington Bison out there for the community to see and recognize. One of his chief desires is to connect with those in Bloomington-Normal who are interested in collaboration efforts.
“Any organizations out there — whether its organizations for special needs or charities — that’s something we definitely want to be involved with,” Barski said. “It’s important for us that our payers get an opportunity to play in front of a packed house here at Grossinger Motors Arena, and in order to do that, we need to reach out to the community where we can create those bonds where people feel connected to our group.”
Startup specialist
Barski was offered the position of head coach and general manager by ECHL Indy Fuel franchise owner and owner of the Bloomington Bison Jim Hallett. Barski decided against taking a two-year extension given to him by the Barrie (Ontario) Colts.
After accepting, Barski built the Bloomington Bison from scratch, drawing from his team building skills that he developed with several other minor league franchises.
“I have actually built numerous teams from scratch,” said Barski. “I seem to be constantly put in similar situations which I definitely take a lot of pride in.”
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Barski played hockey for 18 years and has 15 years of coaching experience. He played in college before injuries dashed his hopes of playing in the National Hockey League.
Barski, who earned his master’s degree in coaching studies, has sought to use analytics to gain an edge in player acquisition and development.
“It’s not to say we’ve created a better mouse trap or we’ve figured it out, this is going to be a system that with trial and error, we will sharpen the tool and the metrics and learn from it,” he said.
The Bison's home opener is Oct. 19.
