New Haven Nighthawks
AHL franchise from 1972–1992, four-time Calder Cup finalist.
The New Haven Nighthawks were an American Hockey League team based in Connecticut, competing from 1972 to 1992. They reached the Calder Cup Finals four times—in 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79, and 1988–89. The 1988–89 run was especially surprising: the team finished fourth in its division but won two playoff rounds before losing to the Adirondack Red Wings in five games. Adirondack also eliminated the Nighthawks in their final postseason appearance.
The franchise set an AHL record in 1986 by using 62 different players in a single season. Only one skater, Tom Colley, played more than 300 games for the team. Colley remains the franchise leader in games (534), goals (204), assists (281), and points (485). Al Tuer holds the career penalty-minute record with 688. Only two goaltenders appeared in over 100 games: Ron Scott (153) and Doug Soetaert (101). Notable players included former New York Islanders Chico Resch and Bobby Nystrom, ex-Boston Bruins Willie O’ORee and Billy O’Dwyer, as well as Bernie Nicholls, Blaine Stoughton, Mike Rogers, Glenn Healy, and ex-WHA stars Bobby Sheehan and Cam Connor.
The Nighthawks had a series of NHL affiliations: the New York Islanders (1972–1973), Minnesota North Stars (1972–1977), New York Rangers (1977–1981 and 1984–1987), and Los Angeles Kings (1981–1991). They played home games at the New Haven Coliseum.
After the 1991–92 season, the franchise was renamed the New Haven Senators, beginning an affiliation with the Ottawa Senators. The team then moved to Prince Edward Island for 1993–94, later becoming the Binghamton Senators and, since 2017, the Belleville Senators. The last Nighthawk to play in the NHL was goaltender Byron Dafoe, who appeared in seven games for the team in its final season. The last Nighthawk active at any professional level was Mario Chitarroni, who played for New Haven in 1988–89 and was still playing in Italy’s top league in 2009.
Quick Facts
- Text Color
- black
- Bg Color
- silver
- Team
- New Haven Nighthawks
- City
- New Haven, Connecticut
- League
- American Hockey League
- Operated
- 1972–1992
- Arena
- New Haven Coliseum
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Nighthawks were Calder Cup finalists four times: 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79, and a dramatic, unlikely playoff run in 1988–89 when they finished fourth in their division yet won two playoff rounds before succumbing to the Adirondack Red Wings in the finals in five games. Those same Red Wings would take the Hawks out again in their last post-season before becoming the unlucky New Haven Senators in 1992–93.
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 Tom Colley played in as many as 300 games for the Nighthawks, while only two goaltenders played over 100 games: Ron Scott (153 games) and Doug Soetaert (101 games). Notable players include former New York Islanders greats Chico Resch and Bobby Nystrom; ex-Boston Bruins Willie O'Ree and Billy O'Dwyer; and others such as Bernie Nicholls, Blaine Stoughton, Mike Rogers, and Glenn Healy.
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 Belleville Senators.
Reader's Guide
The New Haven Nighthawks represent a significant chapter in AHL history, operating for two decades from 1972 to 1992. Their four Calder Cup finals appearances, including the dramatic 1988–89 run as a fourth-place team, highlight their competitive legacy. The franchise's record for most players used in a single season (62 in 1986) underscores a constant turnover of personnel, with only Tom Colley surpassing 300 games in a Nighthawks uniform. The team served as an affiliate for multiple NHL clubs: the New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings. Notable players who passed through New Haven include future NHL stars and Hall of Famers such as Chico Resch, Bobby Nystrom, Willie O'Ree, Bernie Nicholls, and Glenn Healy. The franchise's eventual relocation to Prince Edward Island and later to Belleville, Ontario, as the Belleville Senators, traces a direct lineage from the Nighthawks to a current AHL team. The last Nighthawk to play in the NHL was goaltender Byron Dafoe, who played seven games for the team in its final season. The last Nighthawk active at any level of professional hockey was Mario Chitarroni, who played for New Haven in 1988–89 and was active in the Italian professional league in 2009.
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