Humberside Seahawks Humberside Seahawks later known as Humberside Hawks and then Kingston Hawks , were an English ice hockey club from Kingston upon Hull . Founded during 1988 the club played their home games at Hull Arena . The club went through several name changes due to council influence . Since 1999 , the club was followed by first Hull Thunder and then Hull Stingrays who currently represent the city in the Elite Ice Hockey League . History . Early years . The Humberside Seahawks were founded in 1988 under the ownership of Humberside County Council and the management of Adrian Florence . Beginning life in the old Heineken League Division 2 , Canadian player - coach Dale Lambert quickly led the fledgling Seahawks to glory , winning the Division 2 title ( and promotion to Division 1 ) in their inaugural season . Just two seasons later , in 1990 / 91 , the Seahawks lost just three games in winning the Division 1 title , which they followed up by winning their play - off group and gaining promotion to the Heineken League Premier Division after just three years in the league . In their first season in the top flight the Seahawks quickly made their mark . Thrilling home wins against reigning champions , Durham Wasps , and runners up , Cardiff Devils , backed up bench coach Peter Johnson ' s bold claim that they would be battling in the top four , not against relegation . He was true to his word , leading the team to fourth place and the final of the Autumn Cup , a 5 - 7 defeat to the Nottingham Panthers , in the first final staged at the brand new 10 , 000 seat Sheffield Arena . Few doubt the season might have been more successful had it not been for long - term injuries to star imports Jim Lynch , Scott Morrison and Ross Lambert , who was also fined and suspended for threatening revenge on Wasp Stephen Cooper . " Think Humberside Seahawks , think 1992 / 93 , think Wembley ! " - " Malcolm Richardson , Hull Daily Mail . " 1992 / 93 was to be Seahawks last . Fittingly it was also their most successful . Despite finishing 7th in the league - a feat no doubt inspired by the pre - season turmoil that saw first Ross Lambert and then Peter Johnson assume the role of head coach - Seahawks secured a 6 - 5 victory over the Wasps to win the Castle Eden Cup , a traditional two day tournament held in February and featuring four teams based in the North East of England . More impressive , however , was the tenacity that saw the team overcome the Bees and Whitley Warriors in the play - offs to create history as the first seventh place team to reach the end of season finals weekend , then held at Wembley Arena . The semi - final against the Nottingham Panthers was a see - saw affair which saw the Seahawks leading 4 - 2 in the third period when a section of the surrounding Plexi - glass was broken , necessitating a 25 minute stoppage in play . Panthers returned from the dressing room to dominate the remainder of the third period and tie the score at 4 - 4 . In overtime , Nottingham continued to dominate play , with star forward Paul Adey spurning a couple of good chances to win the match . With both sets of fans on the edge of their seats ( and the overtime period causing the live snooker coverage to be delayed on BBC1 ) a Panthers turnover fell to Seahawks ' Dan Dorion ( and ex - Panther himself ) who was cruising the blue line . Dorion skated towards the Panthers ' zone with the puck and laid in a pinpoint pass to Kevin McNaught , who round the Panthers ' goaltender and put away the sudden death winner and send the Seahawks into the final . A 7 - 4 defeat to the Cardiff Devils in the final the following day did little to dampen the Hull fans ' spirits . Despite the knowledge that a sponsorship with British Aerospace was to see the team renamed the Hawks for the 1993 - 94 season , the Seahawks ' place in the history books was assured . To the fans of Hull the likes of Dan Dorion , Kevin McNaught , the Johnsons et al . were , and always will be , heroes . New Beginnings . In 1994 the Humberside Hawks were born but that was not the only change . Founder Dale Lambert was released as the club began what continues to be a deep fascination with the riches of Eastern Europe . Ukrainians Alexei Kuznetsov and Alexandr Koulikov joined returning heroes Frank Killen , Brian Cox , Mike Bishop and the Johnson brothers , to inspire what has since become the norm in Hull - a season that began with such high hopes but quickly evaporated into one of spectacular failure . Ice hockey in Hull has never truly captured the imagination of the fans since the time of the Seahawks . Sell out crowds and the Seahawks ' trumpeter have long since become memories as years of financial hardship have repeatedly taken their toll . 96 - 97 began with the end of the Johnson dynasty and ended with the death of the Hawk . John Griffith replaced the popular Peter Johnson , his sons , Stephen , Anthony and Shaun , quickly showing their anger by returning home to Tyneside and the newly renamed Newcastle Wasps . Uncertainty of a future was doubled when it was announced that Humberside County Council was to be abolished - and the teams funding with it . Humberside was to be no more , but like the Seahawks before , uncertainty only served to inspire a glorious ending . Griffith ' s tenure was inconsistent although his sacking immediately before the play - offs came as a surprise as his side had never slipped below 5th place . His team was also easily the best since the Wembley class of 92 - 93 , the Brit pack of John Wolfe , naughty Norman Pinnington and the re - classified Bishop and Graham Garden , combining well with veterans Andy Steel and Paul Simpson , and imports Phil Huber , Barclay Pearce , and ex - NHLers Derek Laxdal and Bruce Bell . His replacement , ex - Bees coach Keith Milhench , utilised these resources to full effect , overcoming the loss of Bell - he is still wanted by Sunderland police following a bench clearance with the Wasps - to beat the Devils to Wembley . This time the yellow brick roaded ended in a 3 - 6 semi - final defeat to Sheffield Steelers . Once again though the end ensured the Hawks would never be forgotten . Name Changes . Since the days of the Hawks , Ice Hockey in Hull has undergone major surgery with contrasting results . Keith Milhench ' s Kingston Hawks joined the newly formed Premier League and once again dared belief amongst the loyal as successive pre - season victories over the Superleague Manchester Storm suggested the likes of Chris Eimers , Oleg Synkov and Danuse Bauba might be able to emerge from the shadows of Hull greats and restore the city to the countries elite . Instead what has happened is repeated optimism and failure , the big name signings and returns of the likes of Dale Lambert , Mike Bishop and Ron Shudra failing to compensate the constant name changes and poor league positions that until recently had become near permanent . Following the Hawks came the Hull City Hawks , Hull Thunder and most recently the Hull Stingrays . None have come close to rivalling the Seahawks in terms of size and success although Mike and Sue Pack have at least restored security and a place in the Elite league . The Stingrays debuted at 9th place but confidence is rising as Rick Strachan ' s side appears set to stay . Long may they continue . Noted players . Scott Morrison Morrison joined the Seahawks from Whitley Warriors in 1989 , scoring 159 points in 39 games . Widely considered to be the finest player to grace the ice in Hull , Morrison scored another 220 points before an argument saw him transfer to the Billingham Bombers , and then back to the Warriors . In 95 - 96 the chain - smoking sniper returned as a Hawk , netting 89 goals and 187 points in 60 games . He left with Peter Johnson . enjoying a successful , nomadic career that took in the Basingstoke Bison and Ayr Scottish Eagles amongst others . Dale Lambert The big Canadian defender originally joined the Seahawks as player - coach from the Medway Bears , helping GM Adrian Florence mould the team into a successful franchise . Rugged and likeable , he quickly became to the Seahawks what Shannon Hope was to the Devils and Shudra to the Steelers - vacating his coaching duties in 1993 only to concentrate on playing . But Wembley was to be his swansong , the love affair ending as a trade to the Solihull Barons was followed by spells in Milton Keynes , Durham , Newcastle , and Phoenix in the WCHL . He finally returned as coach of the Kingston Hawks in 1999 - 2000 . A broken leg and less gifted players meant the good times were not to be repeated . Dan Dorion The skilful American forward first joined the Seahawks in 92 - 93 , the former Panther and 91 - 92 player of the year quickly inspiring Humberside to a six game winning streak that guaranteed seventh position and a play - off place . The New York native scored 86 points in just 27 games , with 9 goals and 12 assists in the Seahawks march to Wembley . Although he left for the ECHLs Roanoke Express in 1994 he again answered Peter Johnson ' s call and returned to replace the injured Hawk Kuznetsov , once again inspiring an immediate change in the clubs fortunes . Despite 98 points in 34 games however , he could not bring about a return to the promised land . Shaun Johnson Youngest of the Johnson brothers , " Shuggy " was a crowd favourite ever since his arrival with the Johnson clan from Durham in 1990 . Living in his brothers shadows he first emerged as a future star in 1991 - 92 - receiving the first of many GB caps - and 94 - 95 when he won the Player ' s Player of the Year Award at the age of 21 . In 95 - 96 , the winger joined his brothers in returning to the Wasps , where he quickly turned from a young star into experienced professional . After spells with Newcastle and Coventry he is now back home with the Vipers in the Elite League , rivals to the Stingrays . He is one of the most respected players in Britain and is the last remaining member of the Johnson dynasty . Stephen Johnson " Quacks " Johnson is the eldest and by far the most popular of the Johnson brothers in Hull . His number 10 shirt was retired in tribute to his time at the club , much of which was spent as captain . He was also the first brother to return after his family ' s infamous split with the Hawks - returning from the Wasps in 1998 - 99 to play in the British National League with Kingston , Thunder and finally the Stingrays . At the time of his retirement he had scored more than 1000 points and 600 + goals in all games . his number 10 shirt is the only one so far retired by the Hull organisation . Anthony Johnson Middle brother and AC for the Seahawks , " Tant " gave his all in the no . 12 shirt , combining hard graft and commitment with the skill and vision that complemented his brothers so well . Like the others he remains one of the countries finest , he is up there with the likes of Tony Hand , Ian and Stephen Cooper et al . Despite his departure , like his brother he claimed he would never have left Hull were it not for the mistreatment of their father . He returned in the white and purple of the Thunder in 1999 - 2000 , effectively ending his career in his spiritual home . Squads . ( 1993 - 94 ) - Dan Dorian ( I ) ( F ) , T . Bidner , B . Brown , Chris Hobson ( F ) , Arren Burn ( F ) , Danny Parkin ( F ) , A . Johnson , St . Johnson , Sh . Johnson , G . Slater , Mike Bishop ( I ) ( D ) , Kevin McNaughton ( RI ) ( D / F ) , D . Lambert , Gavin De Jonge ( F ) , Andy Giles ( F ) , Craig Bowles ( D ) , P . Simpson , S . Carvil , L . Barley , Brian Cox ( NM ) , Paul Cast ( NM ) , Kenny Johnson ( NM ) , F . Killen . Others Mike Andrews , Rick Strachan , Retired Shirts . 10 - Stephen Johnson