One of the newest minor-league hockey teams is partnering with an NHL franchise.
On Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced they have established a working agreement with the Bloomington Bison of the ECHL for the 2024-25 season.
The Hurricanes previously had an ‘AA’ affiliation with the Norfolk Admirals over the last three seasons. They have also been partnered with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Florida Everblades, Greensboro Generals and Richmond Renegades.
“We are excited to partner with the Bloomington Bison and Hallett Sports & Entertainment,” Canes Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke said in a release. “Hallett Sports & Entertainment already has an outstanding reputation in operating the Indy Fuel and we are confident that the same standard will apply in Bloomington.”
The Bison will be perfectly situated near the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Carolina signed a three-year affiliation deal with the Wolves back in May after Chicago elected to go independent for the 2023-24 campaign.
This deal gives the Bison two teams in the NHL to work with. In May, Bloomington announced a formal affiliation agreement with the New York Rangers and their primary affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Bison will be taking the ice for the first time in 2024-25. The ECHL approved the expansion into the town in Indiana, which has a history of minor-league and junior hockey in the city of Bloomington. They are not the only team playing its inaugural campaign in the ECHL next year, as the Tahoe Knight Monsters will also be dropping the puck next season. The Knight Monsters recently announced an affiliation with the Vegas Golden Knights and Henderson Silver Knights.
The Bison will be playing in Grossinger Motors Arena, which was opened in 2006. It is owned and operated by the city of Bloomington. There are reports that the city is searching for new naming rights for the arena, with the new franchise next season.
The ECHL will have 29 teams playing during the 2024-25 season.
