Binghamton hockey fans have a strong connection with the Stanley Cup finalist Nashville Predators.  Many fans recall the solid defensive play of Nashville Head Coach Peter Laviolette when he skated for the Binghamton Rangers and served as the team's captain.  Perhaps you were on hand in 2004 when Laviolette was inducted into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame.  But there are two other front office personnel who have been the architects for the success of the Predators.

David Poile is the General Manager and President of Hockey Operations for Nashville.  Poile's Binghamton ties go back to his days as the General Manager of the Washington Capitals.  The Capitals and Hartford Whalers supplied players to the Binghamton Whalers.  Under that dual affiliation the Whalers enjoyed some outstanding seasons including a trip to the Calder Cup Championship finals where New Brunswick knocked out the Whalers to win the Calder Cup.

Former Binghamton standout Paul Fenton is Nashville's Assistant General Manager and serves as the Milwaukee Admirals General Manager.  Milwaukee is Nashville's American Hockey League affiliate. Fenton played three seasons in Binghamton while under contract with Hartford. He went on to play for seven NHL teams seeing action in 411 games.

In Fenton's three season's in Binghamton he averaged well over a point per game.  In 161 games he scored 120 goals and notched 200 points.  He scored 53 goals in Binghamton during the 1985-86 season.  He has served as a scout, Director of Player Personnel as well as his current duties with the Predators.

Getty Images Photo by Dave Sandford
Getty Images Photo by Dave Sandford
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