Hamilton Steelhawks (junior)

The Hamilton Steelhawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1984 to 1988. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, and played at Copps Coliseum.

Hamilton Steelhawks
City	Hamilton, Ontario
League	Ontario Hockey League
Operated	1984 (1984)–88
Home arena	Copps Coliseum
Colours	Red, white and black
Franchise history
1946–1953	Windsor Spitfires
1953–1960	Hamilton Tiger Cubs
1960–1974	Hamilton Red Wings
1974–1978	Hamilton/St. Catharines Fincups
1978–1984	Brantford Alexanders
1984–1988	Hamilton Steelhawks
1988–1996	Niagara Falls Thunder
1996–present	Erie Otters

History

The Brantford Alexanders were relocated in 1984 becoming the Hamilton Steelhawks. The franchise which started in Hamilton in 1953, twice left Hamilton for lack of an adequate arena but returned for the opening of Copps Coliseum. However the team was not well-supported, and played for only four seasons in Hamilton before moving to Niagara Falls, Ontario to play as the Thunder.

The Steelhawks name was chosen to reflect the steel industry in Hamilton. The modernized name and logo was designed to catch on with a young fan base as well. The team enjoyed three successful playoff runs, although they never made a trip to the league finals.

Notable alumni are NHL stars Shayne Corson, Keith Primeau and NHL tough guy Bob Probert. Wayne Gretzky's younger brother Keith Gretzky also played for the Steelhawks, and was the co-winner 1986–87 William Hanley Trophy as the OHA's Most Sportsmanlike Player.

The team was owned by Jack Robillard, Bob Willson and Al Martin, who also owned the London Knights.

Coaches

• 1984–85 - Dave Draper, B. LaForge
• 1985–86 - Bill LaForge
• 1986–87 - Bill LaForge
• 1987–88 - Bill LaForge

NHL alumni

• Roger Belanger
• Shayne Corson
• Troy Crowder
• Brad Dalgarno
• Stan Drulia
• John English
• Mike Hudson
• Jeff Jackson
• Jason Lafreniere
• Paul Laus
• Jamie Leach
• Shawn McCosh
• Ken McRae
• Mike Millar
• Keith Primeau
• Bob Probert
• John Purves
• Chris Pusey
• Mike Rosati
• Jason Simon
• Kirk Tomlinson
• Dennis Vial
• Michael Ware
• Darryl Williams
• Jason York

Yearly results

Regular season

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	Pct %	Goals for	Goals against	Standing
1984–85	66	29	35	2	60	0.455	313	296	4th Emms
1985–86	66	26	36	4	56	0.424	268	306	7th Emms
1986–87	66	39	24	3	81	0.614	321	258	2nd Emms
1987–88	66	35	28	3	73	0.553	327	291	3rd Emms
Total	264	129	123	12	270	0.511	1,229	1,151	0 Division Titles

Playoffs

• 1984–85 Defeated North Bay Centennials 9 points to 7 in first round.
  Defeated London Knights 6 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds 9 points to 1 in semi-finals.
• 1985–86 Out of playoffs.
• 1986–87 Defeated Guelph Platers 4 games to 1 in first round.
  Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1987–88 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 0 in first round.
  Defeated London Knights 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.

Arena

The Hamilton Steelhawks played home games at Mountain Arena for 1984–85 and then moved to Copps Coliseum in December 1985 as the arena was not ready in time for the start of the season . The annual OHL / QMJHL All-Star game was played here in 1988. .

External links

• Mountain Arena - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
• Copps Coliseum Archived 2007-01-27 at the Wayback Machine - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide