BOSTON, Mass. -- The Eastern Hockey League is pleased to announce the addition of the Connectucut Nighthawks as an expansion franchise member that will being play in 2015-16.  The franchise membership was approved at the EHL Midwinter Board of Governors Meeting in Stamford, Conn.

“We’re looking forward to the addition of the Connecticut Nighthawks for the 2015-16 season,” said EHL Executive Director Jeff Nygaard.  “The addition of the franchise in Simsbury gives the league an even number of 20 teams, but more importantly, it will provide a number of additional players the opportunity to advance to NCAA programs."

Bob Crawford will be the managing member of the company that owns the Nighthawks franchise membership.  Crawford, who has more than 20 years of Junior owner/operator experience, is also managing member of the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack organization that is frequently near the top of the EHL's college placement list.

"The Nighthawks are a perfect addition to the EHL as our twentieth team," said EHL Director of Hockey Operations Mark Kumpel.   "Bob Crawford’s dedication and commitment to helping players grow as people and athletes is a proven commodity.   The International Skating Center of Connecticut arena is a high quality, two-sheet facility strategically located in the foot print of many NCAA schools. It is an asset to the league and certainly will prove to be a magnet for talented players seeking a high-end Junior experience.”

In addition the Nighthawks have named veteran college coach Graham Johnson as head coach and general manager.  Johnson has been the assistant men's ice hockey coach at American International College since September 2012.  He has been involved in all facets of the Yellow Jackets NCAA Division I program, working on-ice with AIC's defensemen and penalty killing units and also serving as the program's recruiting coordinator.
 
Graham joined the Yellow Jackets after spending the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League where he worked with the defenseman and oversaw the penalty killing. He was also involved with practice and game preparation, and handled video analysis.
 
The previous two seasons Johnson was an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Hamilton College, which captured the 2010-11 NESCAC regular season title. He served as the Continentals recruiting coordinator and coached the team's defensemen. The 2011 NASCAC rookie of the year was among his recruits.
 
For the 2008-09 season, he was a member of the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Quinnipiac University after starting his coaching career at the University of Rhode Island, one of the preeminent club programs in the nation.

For more information about the Connecticut Nighthawks please visit their website:
- Connecticut Nighthawks Official Website