A crowd of 4,027 fans witnessed the first game of the Bloomington Bison Saturday night at Grossinger Motors Arena, a 2-0 loss to the Toledo Walleye.
The new minor league hockey team in the ECHL was announced by the City of Bloomington in February. The city has had several different hockey teams since the arena opened in 2006, the most recent one leaving in 2019.
Before the game, the team hosted a “Bloomington Bison Fan Fest” outside the arena on Front Street. The event featured music, stands from local businesses, face painting for kids and an appearance from the team’s mascot. It also featured a red carpet walk into the arena by the team members of the Bison.
The Bison’s general manager and head coach, Phillip Barski, spoke to fans shortly after the event began.
"It's been a crazy two or three months here, getting this ready for you guys," he said. "We've worked tremendously hard to put something together that the City of Bloomington can really be proud of, that will give you guys an opportunity to come to the arena, have a shared interest and root for your hometown team."
While the team feels the Bison have plenty of great players, Barski said he felt something even more important was brought in as well.
"We feel like we brought in some great citizens to the City of Bloomington that are really excited to reach out to the community, become a part of this fantastic community and really be a value added to this city," Barski said. "So we appreciate your support today."
RE/MAX Rising was one of the businesses out supporting the Bison. The head of Bloomington’s branch, Kenley Kaisershot, said he felt the event was going well.
“So far, so good,” he said. “There seems to be a lot of interest, there is even a lot of people who have come here from Toledo, too, so it’s kind of nice to see everyone down here.”
Kaisershot elaborated on his hopes for the season, although it may a bit early.
“Being their first game, it’s kind of tough to tell,” he said. “Just hoping the Bison are successful here in Bloomington.”
Kaisershot doesn’t consider himself a big hockey fan, maybe just a few games here and there from old Bloomington teams and the Peoria Rivermen. He said he was glad the Bison team has an NHL affiliation.
Bloomington-Normal resident Crystal Phillips said she was also excited about the Bison’s affiliation with the New York Rangers. Phillips said her family was at the game.
“We’re so excited for tonight. My family is all here,” she said. “We brought friends in from out of town, both of our kids are here, and they brought friends. We have a bunch of seats in a couple different places, and we decided to come early and see all the stuff. It’s a great atmosphere, we’re really excited about it.”
While Phillips and her family were excited about the game, they don’t consider themselves big hockey fans either.
“We became Rangers fans due to the affiliation,” she said. “We’re really just excited to have the Bison in town,” adding there is one key reason why her family wanted to be more involved than with previous teams in the area.
“We feel like the ownership of this team is doing a pretty incredible job,” Phillips said. “We think they’re investing in our community in a really special way and we’re really excited to see what happens with that.”
Satisfaction with an affiliated team was still not an uncommon theme among fans. After the first period, Bison fan Robert Fruin said he was loving the game.
“It’s great to have hockey back here in Bloomington-Normal,” he said. “Especially an ECHL affiliate.”
Fruin is familiar with not just hockey, but those previous teams from Bloomington and other minor league teams. He is already a season ticket holder for the Bison.
“I’ve watched all the Prairie Thunder and Thunder games and Flying Aces back when we had them,” Fruin said. “So, it’s great to have back and good to have some exciting hockey back.”
Fruin wasn’t the only fan in the arena hoping for a Bison win.
Kate Philbee and her young son, Austin, were both cheering on the team, although they had one hope for the rest of the game.
“I mean I kind of want them to fight…I think I’m spoiled cause a good fight is what we’re looking for,” she said as she wore her Seattle Krakens jersey.
Like Fruin, she said she'll return for another Bison game, and so would Austin.
“For sure, for sure. We’re local so we’ll make it our way over here a lot,” she said. Austin said, “If I have enough money,” but his mom was quick to say she’d buy his ticket.
The Bloomington Bison return to the ice today; their season will run through April 2025.
