Moncton Hawks
| Moncton Hawks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Moncton, New Brunswick |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Operated | 1987–1994 |
| Home arena | Moncton Coliseum |
| Affiliates | Winnipeg Jets |
| Franchise history | |
| 1971–1974 | Boston Braves |
| 1987–1994 | Moncton Hawks |
The Moncton Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. They played in the American Hockey League between 1987 and 1994 operated as a minor league affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. Home games were played at the Moncton Coliseum. Previously, Moncton was home to the New Brunswick Hawks, Moncton Alpines, and as the Moncton Golden Flames.
History
In 1987 the Winnipeg Jets signed an agreement with the local ownership group in Moncton to provide players for the Moncton AHL franchise after the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins departed, purchasing the long-dormant Boston Braves franchise from the Bruins for the purpose. The team operated for seven seasons, never finishing higher than third place in the division. The Hawks made the playoffs four of their first six years in the league, reaching the second round of the playoffs three of those years. The seventh season would be their most successful, and featured a new logo for 1993–94. The Hawks finished the regular season third place in the Atlantic Division, but eliminated two higher-seeded division foes before losing to the Portland Pirates in the Calder Cup finals.
Seeking to cut costs in a time when the AHL was beginning to withdraw from Atlantic Canada, the Jets folded the Hawks after the 1994 season, and joined with the Hartford Whalers in a dual affiliation with the expansion Springfield Falcons the following year.
The team featured several players who went on to have successful NHL careers including Kris Draper, Darryl Shannon, Stu Barnes and Dan Bylsma, who went on to win the Stanley Cup as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In 1995, the Moncton Alpines of the QMJHL filled the void in the market that was left after the Hawks folded. That team later became the Moncton Wildcats.
Coaches
Multiple seasons in parentheses.
- 1987–89 - Rick Bowness (2)
- 1989–92 - Dave Farrish (3)
- 1992–93 - Rob Laird
- 1993–94 - Charlie Bourgeois
Training staff
- 1989–93 - Rob Snitzer, Wayne Flemming,Jamie Druet, Andrew Trites, Derek Robichaud
- 1993–94 - Gord Hart, Wayne Flemming, David Lorette, Rob Cormier
Season-by-season results
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 80 | 27 | 43 | 8 | 2 | 64 | 286 | 358 | 6th, North |
| 1988–89 | 80 | 37 | 34 | 9 | — | 83 | 320 | 313 | 3rd, North |
| 1989–90 | 80 | 33 | 42 | 5 | — | 71 | 265 | 303 | 6th, North |
| 1990–91 | 80 | 36 | 32 | 12 | — | 84 | 270 | 267 | 3rd, North |
| 1991–92 | 80 | 32 | 38 | 10 | — | 74 | 285 | 299 | 4th, Atlantic |
| 1992–93 | 80 | 31 | 33 | 16 | — | 78 | 292 | 306 | 4th, Atlantic |
| 1993–94 | 80 | 37 | 36 | 7 | — | 81 | 310 | 303 | 3rd, Atlantic |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | Out of playoffs | |||
| 1988–89 | W, 4-0, Halifax | L, 2-4, New Haven | — | — |
| 1989–90 | Out of playoffs | |||
| 1990–91 | W, 4-0, Cape Breton | L, 1-4, Springfield | — | — |
| 1991–92 | W, 4-3, Fredericton | L, 0-4, St. John's | — | — |
| 1992–93 | L, 1-4, St. John's | — | — | — |
| 1993–94 | W, 4-3, Saint John | W, 4-2, St. John's | W, 2-0, Cornwall | L, 2-4, Portland |