Las Vegas, which begins play in the 2017-18 NHL season, narrowed its search last week from a possible 18 nicknames submitted for approval.
Foley said in an interview earlier this week his goal is to have a nickname, logo and color scheme in place before two NHL preseason games are played at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 7 and 8 (the Los Angeles Kings play the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche).
Nighthawks was used by the former American Hockey League franchise in New Haven, Conn., which existed from 1972-92.
"[The name] should represent Las Vegas, represent the environment," Foley said July 13. "It should be unique to Las Vegas, but it needs to be a name that people hear the name and say, 'These guys are tough. These guys are going to win. These guys are dedicated.' It needs to have that kind of momentum, that kind of philosophy behind the name. And that's why some names just don't make it for me."
Las Vegas pursued Black Knights and Knights as a potential nickname. Foley said the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, his alma mater, had objections to the use of Black Knights, the school's nickname for its athletic teams. There also were trademark issues with Knights and the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
The NHL awarded Las Vegas an expansion team on June 22.