Binghamton Celebrates 50 Years Of Professional Hockey

One of the things that I love about Binghamton is its hockey. This is a hockey town for sure with its rich tradition that goes back 50 years. We've had a lot of great players that have laced them up in Bingo town.

Binghamton Hockey Hall Of Fame Night

This Friday, April 7th is Hall of Fame Night with the Binghamton Black Bears as Josh Hennessy, Charlie Jaworski, Patrice Robitalle will be inducted into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Black Bears will be wearing specialty jerseys on Friday to honor 50 years of professional hockey in Binghamton. It got me thinking about how Binghamton hockey has affected my life in such a positive way.

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It all began when I went to my first hockey game when I was 16 years old. My dad got tickets for me and a friend right against the glass. The Broome Dusters were gracious enough to have a fight right in front of me.

Chuck-a-Puck Since The 1990's

I've been hosting Chuck-a-Puck (on and off) since the 1990's when the Binghamton Rangers were here. Yes, that is frizzy hair under my hat and I was growing a beard because it was deer season and I thought that made me a better hunter...It didn't

Chuck-a-Puck With My Young Daughters

Then I became a dad and one of my biggest joys was going to the hockey games with my family and having my daughters, Riley and Tara join me on the ice. The first two times that I went on the ice with Riley, she clutched my pant legs...I miss those days.

Denis Hamel - Binghamton Senators

Riley's all-time favorite hockey player is Denis Hamel. If he made an appearance in the area, I would take her to the event. Her favorite number was 17 because that was his hockey number. When she played volleyball in high school, she wore #17 in his honor.

Hamel would always say "Hi" to her and was kind enough to sit for a picture with the girls at this bowling event. Hamel was inducted into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

Tara and Lucie (French Foreign Exchange Student) Riding The Zamboni

One year, Tara hosted a foreign exchange student from France. Lucie had never been to a hockey game before and she got to ride the Zamboni between the 2nd and 3rd period. It was interesting trying to explain to her what a "Zamboni" was, it was like I was speaking in a foreign language...and I guess I was.

Tara Following In My Footsteps...Kind Of.

Binghamton hockey has been a big part of my daughter, Tara's life since the beginning. She has been on the ice with me since she was two years old and still joins me on the ice today. Not only that but Tara is part of the Black Bears family as a game day emcee. I couldn't be prouder as she follows (sort of) in her dad's footsteps.

As we get ready to honor 50 years of professional hockey, here are my five favorite hockey players in no particular order. What hockey players bring back memories for you?