Jackals Introduce Bingham as Head Coach
Published on June 8, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals welcomed Pat Bingham as their new head coach on Wednesday evening at a First Arena press conference. Bingham, a John Brophy Award winner as the ECHL's Coach of the Year in 2003-2004, becomes the ninth head coach in Jackals history.
"Team owner Dr. Mostafa Afr and team president Tamer Afr are very pleased with the hiring of Pat Bingham," Jackals general manager Robbie S. Nichols said. "They felt it was important to select someone who has experience, has a no-nonsense attitude, and coaches a tough brand of hockey. Pat fulfills those requirements as well as anyone."
Bingham spent the last four seasons with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Vancouver native took over as Bridgeport's head coach this past season in mid-November. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, the Sound Tigers ended the season with wins in seven of their final 10 games and took points in 12 of their last 15 contests. Bingham served as an assistant coach with Bridgeport from 2007-2010, helping with the growth of players on the New York Islanders' primary developmental team. He occupied that same role in the 2005-2006 campaign.
In 2006-2007, Bingham led the UHL's Fort Wayne Komets to the league's best record of 51-21-4 while advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
Bingham accumulated two seasons of ECHL head coaching experience with the Wheeling Nailers from 2003-2005. He garnered the league's coach of the year accolade in his first season in Wheeling as the Nailers notched the Eastern Conference's best record of 51-17-4. Bingham led the Nailers to a 38-29-5 record in 2004-2005.
His early head coaching days included stints with the Adirondack IceHawks and Asheville Smoke in the UHL, including a Colonial Cup Final appearance with the Smoke in the 2000-2001 season. Bingham began his career as a head coach with the CHL's Huntsville Channel Cats in 1999-2000, one season after serving as an assistant with the club.
As a head coach, Bingham has compiled a career record of 290-174-41 for a points percentage of .615.
Bingham played professionally for seven seasons from 1989 to 1996 primarily as a forward, tallying 53 goals and 151 assists for 204 points to go along with 1,004 penalty minutes in 315 career games. He won the ECHL's Riley Cup on the league-champion 1990-1991 Hampton Roads Admirals.
Bingham and his wife, Tanya, have a son, Evan. They will be relocating to the Twin Tiers and Bingham will assume the role of head coach on July 1.
ECHL Stories from June 8, 2011
- Jackals Introduce Bingham as Head Coach - Elmira Jackals
- Pair of Former Blades Help Binghamton to AHL's Calder Cup Championship - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Represented on AHL Calder Cup Champion for 22nd Straight Season - ECHL
- Tonight's Press Conference Open to the Public - Elmira Jackals
- Jackals' AHL Affiliate Wins Calder Cup - Elmira Jackals
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