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New Haven Nighthawks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| New Haven Nighthawks | |
 |
|
| Played | 1972-1992 |
| Home ice | New Haven Coliseum |
| Based in | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Colors | black, silver and white |
| League | American Hockey League |
The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had long-term affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars (1972-1977) and New York Rangers (1977-1981 and 1984-1987), but were affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings (1981-1991) in their final seasons. The team played their home games at the New Haven Coliseum.
The Nighthawks were Calder Cup finalists four times: 1974-74, 1977-78, 1978-79 and a dramatic, unlikely playoff run in 1988-89 when they finished fourth in their division yet won two exciting playoff rounds before succumbing to the Adirondack Red Wings in the finals 4 games to 1. Those same Red Wings would take the Hawks out again in their last post-season before becoming the ill-fated New Haven Senators in 1992-1993.
Notable players for the Nighthawks include Tom Colley, the franchise's career leader in games (534), goals (204), assists (281) and points (485); ex-Boston Bruin Billy O'Dwyer; career penalty minute leader (688) Al Tuer; ex-WHA star Bobby Sheehan and Dale Lewis. The team was notorious for a revolving door for personnel -- holding the AHL record for players used in a single season with 62 in 1986 -- and no other player than Colley played in as many as 300 games for the Nighthawks, while only one goaltender (Ron Scott) played over 100 games.
Eight of the 27 AHL head coaches are former Nighthawks: Peoria's Dave Baseggio, Providence's Scott Gordon, Manchester's Mark Morris, Lowell's Kurt Kleinendorst, Chicago's John Anderson, San Antonio's Pat Conacher, Manitoba's Scott Arniel and Philadelphia's Kjell Samuelsson.
The franchise was renamed the New Haven Senators for the 1992-93 season when they began an NHL affiliation with the Ottawa Senators. The following season, the franchise moved to Prince Edward Island. Today, it is known as the Binghamton Senators.
The franchise became known as:
- New Haven Senators (1992-93)
- Prince Edward Island Senators (1993-96)
- Binghamton Senators (2002-present)
The market was subsequently home to:
- Beast of New Haven (1997-1999)
- New Haven Knights (UHL) (2000-2002).
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2001-present)