BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — In a statement released on social media today, the Binghamton Black Bears announced that Tom Reynolds would be taking over as the new head coach moving forward. Former head coach Brant Sherwood will be moving to assistant coach.
This statement comes in response to head coach Sherwood being suspended three games by the FPHL following a new rule that suspends a coach one game for every two games a player is suspended.
On Jan. 20′s game against Danbury, Binghamton’s Bryce Ferrell was suspended for seven games following an on-ice fight. Therefore, Sherwood was suspended for three games as well.
This move by the Black Bears is in direct response to the FPHL’s new rules. With this coaching change, moving Sherwood to assistant coach means that in the future Tom Reynolds will be suspended.
Sherwood has led the Bears to a 41-13-9 record over 64 games coached across two seasons. Reynolds has served as an assistant coach with the Bears since the team’s inception in 2021.
“The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) would like to address the recent decision to make a change put out in its January 7th Press Statement.
It was not a “Rule Change” but a change in the discipline policy for certain actions that have been a serious issue across the league this season.
This season the league has had issues with numerous teams allowing their coaches to send players into the game for violent physical attacks on opposing players.
This has caused a large number of injuries to players and has created an unsafe environment for players and officials in the league.
