The Bloomington Bison are an upcoming American minor league ice hockey team based in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 2024, the team plans to make its debut in the ECHL in 2024–25. They are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the Hartford Wolf Pack.
On January 16, 2024, the ECHL awarded an expansion team to Bloomington, Illinois.[1][2][3] The ownership group consists of Jim Hallett of Hallett Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Indy Fuel. The club will play in Grossinger Motors Arena located in Bloomington, Illinois. On May 30, it was announced that a five-year affiliation with the New York Rangers has been signed. In addition, Phillip Barski was named as the team's first head coach and general manager.[4]