The Wilmington Nighthawks enter the 2026–27 season with momentum, a growing developmental foundation, and one of the most memorable seasons in club history behind them.

Founded in 2009, the volunteer-led organization has grown to nearly 175 registered players and built a complete hockey pathway that begins with Learn to Skate and Learn to Play, progresses through 8U in-house and travel hockey, and ultimately leads to competitive DVHL play.

From a player’s first experience on the ice through upper-level travel hockey, the mission remains consistent: create an environment where young athletes can develop, compete, and build a lasting connection to the game.

And after a championship season that took the Nighthawks all the way to USA Hockey Nationals, Wilmington enters 2026–27 ready to write the next chapter.

A Season to Remember

Any look ahead for the Wilmington Nighthawks has to begin with what happened last season.

The 18U AA Nighthawks put together an outstanding 2025–26 campaign, finishing 35-17-2 and ending the season as Delaware’s top-ranked 18U team.

But the defining moment came in postseason play.

Wilmington captured the AAHA Delaware 18AA National-Bound Championship, earning the opportunity to represent the Atlantic Affiliate at the 2026 USA Hockey Tier II 18U National Championship in West Chester.

For the players and coaches, it was the culmination of a remarkable season.

For the organization, it meant something even bigger.

A team wearing the Nighthawks crest was competing on the national stage.

It was a milestone shared by every coach, volunteer, parent, and player who helped build the program since its founding.

The success wasn’t limited to 18U. Wilmington’s 14U team also qualified for the DVHL playoffs, adding another accomplishment to a memorable year for the organization.

Three Teams Ready for the DVHL

Rather than making major organizational changes following that success, the Nighthawks enter the new season focused on strengthening the foundation already in place.

Wilmington will feature three teams in DVHL competition:
10U A American
14U A National
18U AA

There will naturally be plenty of attention on the new 18U AA group following last season’s championship run, but the Nighthawks are excited to see what all three teams can accomplish.

At the same time, some of the organization’s most important growth is happening below the DVHL travel levels.

Strong participation within Wilmington’s developmental programs continues to introduce new players and families to hockey while creating the foundation for future Nighthawks teams.

That growth is essential to the organization’s long-term vision.

Building the Pathway

For Wilmington, player development isn’t limited to travel hockey.

The Nighthawks have built a pathway designed to meet players at the very beginning of their hockey experience.

Learn to Skate.
Learn to Play.
8U in-house.
8U travel.
DVHL hockey.

Each stage creates another opportunity for young players to develop their skills, confidence, and love for the game before moving on to the next challenge.

The goal isn’t simply to produce successful travel teams.

It’s to create hockey players.

Invested Behind the Bench

The Nighthawks believe one of the strengths of their program is the personal investment of their coaches.

Wilmington’s coaching staff is qualified, passionate, and committed to the future of the organization.

The coaching philosophy emphasizes age-appropriate skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, while recognizing that youth hockey should develop more than technical ability.

Players are challenged to improve on the ice while building confidence, character, responsibility, and an understanding of what it means to be a good teammate.

The objective is to prepare players for their next competitive level without losing sight of something equally important:

Enjoying the game.

More Than a Team

The Nighthawks describe the greatest strength of their organization in one word: Family.

Wilmington works to create an environment where players and parents feel connected to the organization rather than simply assigned to an individual team.

That sense of community extends throughout the developmental pathway.

For a volunteer-led organization, those relationships matter.

Coaches, parents, volunteers, and players all contribute to the experience, creating a hockey community that supports young athletes throughout their development.

It’s an identity the Nighthawks hope remains just as important as anything accomplished on the scoreboard.

The Battle of Delaware

Of course, there’s one weekend that always carries a little extra energy.

When the Wilmington Nighthawks and Delaware Jr. Blue Hens meet, local pride is on the line.

The Battle of Delaware has become the rivalry circled on the calendar, bringing together two Delaware hockey communities and adding a little extra intensity to an already competitive matchup.

For players and families, it’s one of those games that simply feels different.

The stands are louder.

The energy is higher.

And bragging rights matter just a little bit more.

It’s exactly what a great youth hockey rivalry should be.

Success Creates the Next Challenge

Following a season that included an 18U AA championship and a trip to USA Hockey Nationals, Wilmington faces a familiar challenge for successful organizations:

What comes next?

The Nighthawks aren’t trying to recreate last season.

They’re focused on building upon it.

That means continuing to strengthen the youngest levels of the program, developing players appropriately, supporting coaches, competing throughout the DVHL, and maintaining the family-oriented culture that defines the organization.

Last year’s 18U AA team demonstrated what is possible.

Now another generation of Nighthawks gets its opportunity.

Ready for 2026–27

Under the leadership of Club President Kevin Wise, the Wilmington Nighthawks begin the season with a strong foundation at the developmental levels, three teams ready for DVHL competition, and a championship standard established by the players who came before them.

There will be wins and losses.

There will be challenges.

There will be rivalry games and playoff races.

But Wilmington’s definition of success will continue to reach beyond the standings.

It’s about development.

It’s about community.

And it’s about representing the game the right way.

“When the 2026–27 season is over, we hope people say the Wilmington Nighthawks were a competitive, respected club that represented the game the right way.”

After a season that put Wilmington on the national stage, the Nighthawks are ready to get back to work.

Wilmington Nighthawks at a Glance
Established: 2009
Registered Players: Nearly 175
Home Rink: Skating Club of Wilmington
Club President: Kevin Wise
Hockey Director: To Be Announced

2026–27 DVHL Teams

10U A American
14U A National
18U AA

2025–26 Highlights

18U AA

AAHA Delaware 18AA National-Bound Champions
35-17-2 overall record
Delaware’s top-ranked 18U team
Represented the Atlantic Affiliate at the 2026 USA Hockey Tier II 18U National Championship in West Chester

14U

DVHL Playoff Qualifier

Developmental Pathway

Learn to Skate → Learn to Play → 8U In-House → 8U Travel → DVHL Hockey

Biggest Rivalry

Battle of Delaware — Wilmington Nighthawks vs. Delaware Jr. Blue Hens

Club Identity

Community. Development. Competition.

What to Watch in 2026–27

The next chapter.

Last year’s 18U AA team established a championship standard and carried the Nighthawks onto the national stage. Now Wilmington’s next generation has the opportunity to build on that success while the continued growth of the club’s youngest levels strengthens the foundation for the future.