New Haven Nighthawks

New Haven Nighthawks
City New Haven, Connecticut
League American Hockey League
Operated 1972–1992
Home arena New Haven Coliseum
Colors

Blue, Gold, and White (Islanders and North Stars) red, white, and blue (Rangers)

black, silver and white (Kings)
Affiliates Minnesota North Stars,
New York Islanders,
New York Rangers,
Los Angeles Kings
Franchise history
1972–1992 New Haven Nighthawks
1992–1993 New Haven Senators
1993–1996 Prince Edward Island Senators
2002–present Binghamton Senators
Championships
Regular season titles one (1979–80)
Division Championships two (1978–79, 1979–80)

The New Haven Nighthawks were a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars (1972–1977), New York Islanders (1972–1973), New York Rangers (1977–1981 & 1984–1987), and Los Angeles Kings (1981–1991). The team played their home games at the New Haven Coliseum which replaced the New Haven Arena.

History

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 1992–93.

Notable players for the Nighthawks include former New York Islanders greats Chico Resch, Bobby Nystrom;ex-Boston Bruin Willie O'Ree; 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, Bernie Nicholls, Blaine Stoughton, Mike Rogers and Glenn Healy. 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. No player other than Colley played in as many as 300 games for the Nighthawks, while only two goaltenders played over 100 games (Ron Scott) 153 and (Doug Soetaert)101.

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.

Franchise and Area History

The franchise became known as:

The market was subsequently home to:

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Season Games WonLostTiedOTLPoints Goals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1972–7376164020 522463316th, East
1973–7476353110 802912754th, North
1974–7576303511 712823025th, North
1975–76762939 8 662612953rd, South
1976–77804331 6 923332872nd, AHL
1977–7880383111 873132922nd, South
1978–79804625 91013462711st, South
1979–80804625 91013503051st, South
1980–8180294011 692953214th, South
1981–82803933 8 862922763rd, South
1982–83803834 8 843373293rd, South
1983–84803640 4 763653715th, South
1984–85803141 8 703153415th, South
1985–86803637 7 793403434th, South
1986–8780442511 993313153rd, South
1987–88803337 7 3 762883075th, North
1988–8980353510 803253094th, North
1989–90803241 7 712833167th, North
1990–9180244511 592463247th, North
1991–92803937 4 823053093rd, North

Playoffs

The Nighthawks were runners-up for the Calder Cup in 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79, & 1988–89.[1]

Season1st round2nd roundFinals
1972–73 Out of playoffs
1973–74 W, 4-2, Rochester L, 0-4, Providence
1974–75 W, 4-1, Virginia W, 4-1, HER L, 1-4, Springfield
1975–76 L, 0-3, Richmond
1976–77 L, 2-4, Rochester
1977–78 W, 3-1, Philadelphia W, 4-2, Rochester L, 1-4, Maine
1978–79 byeW, 4-2, Binghamton L, 0-4, Maine
1979–80 W, 4-0, Rochester L, 2-4, Hershey
1980–81 L, 0-4, Hershey
1981–82 L, 1-3, Rochester
1982–83 W, 4-1, Hershey L, 3-4 Rochester
1983–84 Out of playoffs
1984–85 Out of playoffs
1985–86 L, 1-4, Hershey
1986–87 L, 3-4, Binghamton
1987–88 Out of playoffs
1988–89 W, 4-2, Sherbrooke W, 4-2, Moncton L, 1-4, Adirondack
1989–90 Out of playoffs
1990–91 Out of playoffs
1991–92 L, 1-4, Adirondack

See also

References

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