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| Moncton Hawks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Moncton,New Brunswick |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Operated | 1987–1994 |
| Home arena | Moncton Coliseum |
| Colors | Blue, red |
| Affiliate | Winnipeg Jets |
| Franchise history | |
| 1971–1974 | Boston Braves |
| 1987–1994 | Moncton Hawks |
TheMoncton Hawks were a professionalice hockey team based inMoncton,New Brunswick. They played in theAmerican Hockey League between 1987 and 1994, operating as a minor league affiliate of theWinnipeg Jets. Home games were played at theMoncton Coliseum. Previously, Moncton was home to theNew Brunswick Hawks,Moncton Alpines, andMoncton Golden Flames.
The name "Moncton Hawks" was the name of several previous senior league teams that played in theMaritime Senior Hockey League, Maritime Major Hockey League, New Brunswick Senior Hockey League, Atlantic Coast Senior League and Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League. These amateur teams operated from 1931 to 1979. The 1933 and 1934 teams won theAllan Cup senior men's Canadian championship. From 1978 to 1987, severalAmerican Hockey League teams operated in Moncton: theNew Brunswick Hawks,Moncton Alpines andMoncton Golden Flames.
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 folded the Golden Flames, purchasing the long-dormantBoston 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 for1993–94. The Hawks finished the regular season third place in the Atlantic Division, but eliminated two higher-seeded division foes before losing to thePortland Pirates in theCalder 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 theHartford Whalers in a dual affiliation with the expansionSpringfield Falcons the following year.
The team featured several players who went on to have successful NHL careers includingKris Draper,Darryl Shannon,Stu Barnes andDan Bylsma, who went on to win the Stanley Cup as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In 1995, the Moncton Alpines of theQMJHL filled the void in the market that was left after the Hawks folded. That team later became theMoncton Wildcats.
Multiple seasons in parentheses.
| 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 |
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | Out ofplayoffs | |||
| 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, 4–0,Cornwall | L, 2–4,Portland |