American Hockey League Wiki
New Haven Nighthawks
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City: New Haven, Connecticut
League: American Hockey League
Operated: 1972–1992
Home Arena: New Haven Coliseum
Colors: 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 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.

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 Bobby Nystrom and Billy Smith; 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 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. No player other than Colley played in as many as 300 games for the Nighthawks, while only one goaltender (Ron Scott) played over 100 games.

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 Won Lost Tied OTL Points Goals
For
Goals
Against
Standing
1972–73 76 16 40 20 52 246 331 6th, East
1973–74 76 35 31 10 80 291 275 4th, North
1974–75 76 30 35 11 71 282 302 5th, North
1975–76 76 29 39 8 66 261 295 3rd, South
1976–77 80 43 31 6 92 333 287 2nd, AHL
1977–78 80 38 31 11 87 313 292 2nd, South
1978–79 80 46 25 9 101 346 271 1st, South
1979–80 80 46 25 9 101 350 305 1st, South
1980–81 80 29 40 11 69 295 321 4th, South
1981–82 80 39 33 8 86 292 276 3rd, South
1982–83 80 38 34 8 84 337 329 3rd, South
1983–84 80 36 40 4 76 365 371 5th, South
1984–85 80 31 41 8 70 315 341 5th, South
1985–86 80 36 37 7 79 340 343 4th, South
1986–87 80 44 25 11 99 331 315 3rd, South
1987–88 80 33 37 7 3 76 288 307 5th, North
1988–89 80 35 35 10 80 325 309 4th, North
1989–90 80 32 41 7 71 283 316 7th, North
1990–91 80 24 45 11 59 246 324 7th, North
1991–92 80 39 37 4 82 305 309 3rd, North

Playoffs[]

Season 1st Round 2nd Round Finals
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 bye W, 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