For those of you that are comment section regulars, Tim from Binghamton will be a familiar character.
As long as I can remember, Tim has been providing us with his thoughts on the Senators’ AHL affiliate. As a long-time season ticket holder, Tim has always given us a unique perspective on the team down there. Late in the season, I asked Tim to put together a recap of sorts on what was a difficult season for the BSens. But as you know, the discussion in Binghamton has recently changed from on-ice performance to the future of the franchise.
For the last couple months, rumours have swirled about a potential relocation of the AHL Senators from Binghamton to Belleville, Ontario. While on paper there are benefits to such a change, there are also great hockey fans in in that community that were obviously shocked and disappointed by the news. Having been to Binghamton a few times, including twice during the run to the Calder Cup, I can attest to the passion of those fans. Smart hockey fans, passionate and clearly devoted to their team.
So while the news of a potential move to Belleville is exciting in some ways, it’s hard not to feel for the Binghamton residents that have supported this team. With that in mind, Tim has put together some of his thoughts on what’s going on in Binghamton right now.
Over to you, Tim…
WRITTEN BY TIM FROM BINGHAMTON
This was going to be a piece on the struggle and development of this years players in the AHL with my thoughts and feelings on the season at it’s current time. A history of Binghamton hockey would be in order. For those who don’t know we have had a professional hockey presence here since 1973.
Obviously from my standpoint things went from bad to worse. With the almost guaranteed announcement of the moving of the affiliation it is next to impossible for me or much less anyone I associate myself with around the Senators to put our opinions and emotions into words.
No matter how much fact checking or number crunching I would do, it would never convince a vast portion of your followers that this is a wrong move. AHL isn’t about attendance…its about the development of not only tomorrow’s stars but today’s hockey game. NHL clubs are failing on this to save the penny when they bleed dollars on terrible contracts and poorly built franchises.
We love our team down here and if demanding we have something that competes on a yearly basis is too much then we are greater fans than that of any Canadian franchise. Watching Hershey and Scranton fight it out yet again in the playoffs hurts us to no end.
Wait? We won in 2011 you say and should be quiet!? Norfolk won 2012 and Manchester 2015. Both cities lost their teams. The title doesn’t mean as much when you have no team to back up the accomplishment. How much recognition does Ottawa get for their Stanley Cups? It’s not the same.
We get we are a by product of the parent club and their way of doing things. But as a parent club how can the norm be “maybe” making the playoffs? “Maybe” being competitive? Watching Pittsburgh and Washington and then their clubs Hershey and Scranton…somebody knows something Ottawa doesn’t. And moving to Belleville is not a solution.
I have always provided an unbiased opinion on what I see down here whether it be praising an ECHL contract player or admonishing a highly touted popular prospect. I never gave information in spite. Being a season ticket holder for 10 years now I have seen it all. The Hamel years…a goalie scoring a goal (Chris Holt)…Brian McGrattan 551 PIMs. A CALDER CUP!
But what I have seen year in and year out is smart…loyal…dedicated…intelligent HOCKEY fans…and they are Binghamton, and they are my home. And I will defend here regardless of our affiliation.
Say what you want about the team, but know that I’ll always come to the defence of my town and people. Many on your board have shown great support to me and my posts and Binghamton in general. If this affiliation does end I will miss a great many people here I call brothers and sisters.
And if this is the last year I hope to see you and several others make a trip to this small hockey mecca that Jim Matthews had the foresight to create.
Any questions/comments/concerns throw me a shout.
