The Hamilton Steelhawks were a junior ice hockey

Junior ice hockey

Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...

 team in the Ontario Hockey League

Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....

 from 1984 to 1988. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...

, and played at Copps Coliseum

Copps Coliseum

Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...

.

History

The Brantford Alexanders

Brantford Alexanders

The Brantford Alexanders were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League from 1978 to 1984. The team was based in Brantford, Ontario.-History:...

 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

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...

 to play as the Thunder.

The Steelhawks name was chosen to reflect the steel

Steel

Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...

 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

Shayne Corson

Shayne Corson is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dallas Stars...

, Keith Primeau

Keith Primeau

Keith Primeau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers...

 and NHL tough guy Bob Probert

Bob Probert

Robert Alan Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks...

. Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

's younger brother Keith Gretzky

Keith Gretzky

Keith Edward Gretzky is one of the brothers of famous ice hockey player, Wayne Gretzky. Keith was promoted to Director of Amateur Scouting for the Phoenix Coyotes on July 12, 2006, after serving the previous five seasons as an amateur scout for both the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and...

 also played for the Steelhawks, and was the co-winner 1986–87 William Hanley Trophy

William Hanley Trophy

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years...

 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

London Knights

The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...

.

Coaches

• 1984–85 - Dave Draper, B. LaForge
• 1985–86 - Bill LaForge
  Bill LaForge
  Bill LaForge was a Canadian ice hockey head coach. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He coached the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League into the Memorial Cup tournament of 1984...
  
  
• 1986–87 - Bill LaForge
• 1987–88 - Bill LaForge

NHL alumni

Roger Belanger Roger Belanger Roger Richard Belanger was a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:Belanger started his junior career with the London Knights of the OHL in 1982–83, getting 31 points in 68 games. However, however an injury in the playoffs limited him to just one game, in which he had no... Shayne Corson Shayne Corson Shayne Corson is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dallas Stars... Troy Crowder Troy Crowder Troy Crowder is a former professional ice hockey right winger who played parts of seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Vancouver Canucks from 1987–88 to 1996–97.Crowder was drafted 108th overall by the Devils in the 1986... Brad Dalgarno Brad Dalgarno Brad W. Dalgarno is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right wing. He was drafted in the first round, 6th overall, by the New York Islanders in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.... Stan Drulia Stan Drulia Stanley W. Drulia is the coach of the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and a former professional right winger. He was drafted in the eleventh round, 214th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. He played 126 games in the National Hockey League, all with the Tampa Bay Lightning... John English John English (ice hockey) John English is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings. In 3 regular season NHL games he recorded 4 points .... Mike Hudson Mike Hudson Michael Hudson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

Jeff Jackson Jason Lafreniere Jason Lafreniere Jason Lafreniere is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 146 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques.... Paul Laus Paul Laus Paul Laus is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers.-Career:... Jamie Leach Jamie Leach William "Jamie" Leach is a former National Hockey League player from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He is the son of former NHLer Reggie Leach... Shawn McCosh Shawn McCosh Shawn M. McCosh is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in 9 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers over parts of two seasons.... Ken McRae Ken McRae Kenneth Duncan McRae is the head coach of the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. McRae is also a former right winger who played in 137 games in the National Hockey League with the Quebec Nordiques and Toronto Maple Leafs...

Mike Millar Mike Millar Michael Millar is a retired Canadian ice hockey right wingerMillar was selected 110th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft... Keith Primeau Keith Primeau Keith Primeau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers... Bob Probert Bob Probert Robert Alan Probert was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks... John Purves Chris Pusey Chris Pusey Chris Pusey was an NHL one game goaltender. He is notable, for returning after retiring from professional ice hockey, with the Dundas Real McCoys, an OHA senior team, and the club made the final four in the Allan Cup tournament. Chris, however, was playing not as a goaltender, but as a defenceman... Mike Rosati Mike Rosati Michael Anthony Rosati is a Canadian-born Italian professional ice hockey player. Rosati became the first player to play in a game in the NHL after earning an Italian passport and playing for Italy.- Early years :...

Jason Simon Kirk Tomlinson Kirk Tomlinson Kirk H. Tomlinson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Minnesota North Stars during the 1987–88 NHL season. He is also a former head coach in the West Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League, and Central Hockey... Dennis Vial Dennis Vial Dennis Vial is a retired professional hockey player who played in NHL with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators... Michael Ware Michael Ware Michael Ware is an Australian journalist formerly with CNN and was for several years based in their Baghdad bureau. He joined CNN in May 2006, after five years with sister-publication Time Magazine... Darryl Williams Darryl Williams (ice hockey) Darryl C. Williams was a former ice hockey player who played extensively in the minor leagues and played two games for the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL.... Jason York Jason York Jason Andrew York , is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL. A defenceman, he last played for the Boston Bruins in the 2006–07 season.-Playing career:...

Regular season

Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	Pct %	Goals for	Goals against	Standing
1984–85 1984–85 OHL season The 1984–85 OHL season was the 5th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Peterborough Petes. The Greyhounds also set an OHL record that still stands, going 33–0 at home in the regular...	66	29	35	2	60	0.455	313	296	4th Emms
1985–86 1985–86 OHL season The 1985–86 OHL season was the 6th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Platers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Belleville Bulls.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:-Division Quarterfinals:...	66	26	36	4	56	0.424	268	306	7th Emms
1986–87 1986–87 OHL season The 1986–87 OHL season was the 7th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the North Bay Centennials.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:...	66	39	24	3	81	0.614	321	258	2nd Emms
1987–88	66	35	28	3	73	0.553	327	291	3rd Emms

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 gams 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

Copps Coliseum

Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...

from 1985 to 1988. The annual OHL / QMJHL All-Star game was played here in 1988. The Coliseum's upper bowl curtain was closed for home games.

• Mountain Arena - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
• Copps Coliseum - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide