Bloomington Bison

The franchise landed in the playoffs in its second season under inaugural head coach Phillip Barski, who has agreed to a two-year extension on his contract.

The Bison earned ECHL’s Rising Star Growth Award and the Corporate Partnership Team of the Year Award during the 2025-26 ECHL Team Awards Ceremony.

Bloomington appears ready to more aggressively market naming rights opportunities for the former Grossinger Motors Arena in Downtown Bloomington. Sponsorship by the auto group ended in 2022, and the city has called a news conference next Wednesday to highlight revived use of the building.

While the second season coming to an end, head coach Phillip Barski and the Bloomington Bison want to keep playing hockey at Grossinger Motors Arena. With games Friday and Saturday, the team is close to earning its first-ever postseason berth.

The Bloomington Bison return to the ice this week after ECHL players and the league ratified their new collective bargaining agreement following a strike that postponed three Bison games.

After a work stoppage postponed three Bloomington Bison pro hockey games this weekend, players are set to report back to their teams with a tentative labor agreement in place.

Hockey players in the ECHL went on strike Friday over unresolved contract negotiations, postponing at least three Bloomington Bison games and threatening dozens more.

The union that represents hockey players on the Bloomington Bison and other ECHL teams said it plans to go on strike starting Friday, alleging the league violated federal labor law during contract negotiations. The ECHL says players will lose their housing, medical benefits and pay if they do.

The union representing players for the Bloomington Bison and other ECHL hockey teams have voted to authorize a strike after negotiating for months on a new contract.

Head coach Phillip Barski said the team has recruited some new defensive players who can move the puck, helping to create a more well-rounded team.