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2 unusual facts about New Haven Nighthawks


New Haven Nighthawks

Notable players for the Nighthawks include former New York Islanders great Bobby Nystrom; 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 and Mike Rogers.

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.


Bob Bedier

Bedier went on to play three seasons of professional hockey, including 112 games in the American Hockey League with the New Haven Nighthawks, Springfield Indians and Moncton Alpines, and 60 games in the International Hockey League with the Toledo Goaldiggers.

New Haven Eagles

Two subsequent franchises playing the AHL were based in New Haven; the New Haven Nighthawks (1972–1992), who were renamed the New Haven Senators (1992–93), Beast of New Haven (1997–1999), and most recently the UHL's New Haven Knights (2000–2002).


see also