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.
The Brantford Alexanders were relocated in 1984 becoming the Hamilton Steelhawks. The team chose a name which reflected the steel industry in Hamilton, and wore colours similar to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Steelhawks played home games at Mountain Arena for 1984âÂÂ85 and then moved to Copps Coliseum in December 1985 as the arena was not ready in time for the start of the season.
On March 9, 1985, the Steelhawks played the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the televised OHL game of the week, that resulted in a bench-clearing brawl in the second period. A total of 164 minutes in penalties, including 14 fighting majors and 10 game misconducts were called. The Steelhawks were fined $2,000 and coach Bill LaForge was suspended for the balance of the season, including the playoffs.
Keith Gretzky was the co-recipient of the William Hanley Trophy as the league's most sportsmanlike player in the 1986âÂÂ87 OHL season.
The team played four seasons in Hamilton, then relocated becoming the Niagara Falls Thunder.
Twenty-five alumni of the Steelhawks later played in the National Hockey League (NHL):
Regular season and playoffs results: