Although last season ended for Newtown High School’s hockey team just before sports were halted due to the impact of the coronavirus, this winter has certainly been altered for the Nighthawks.

“We’re really excited just to be able to get back out there,” said Coach Paul Esposito, whose team is set to drop the puck on the delayed start to the campaign with a Wednesday, February 10, game against the Bethel-Brookfield-Danbury (BBD) co-op at Danbury Ice Arena. Faceoff is at 5:30 pm.

Esposito added that he could not imagine being a high school senior and not getting to play your favorite game.

“They’re appreciative of the fact we’re getting to play,” the coach said.

Esposito noted that while mask-wearing (underneath their puck- and stick-blocking cage and plastic face masks) is not ideal for hockey players under normal circumstances, the Nighthawks are just happy to be skating. Esposito added that the players will do what they can to avoid having the opportunity to play spoiled.

While team health is always a concern, especially in contact sports, it takes on a whole new meaning now.

“The number one goal here is to keep everybody as healthy as possible — keep the roster intact,” Esposito said.

The lineup, backed up by goaltender Markus Paltauf — who kept his team in games throughout last season with his stellar play — will look to carry the Hawks back to the postseason.

Another difference this year is the co-op status of the team which will join forces with New Fairfleld players.

Captains are forward and scoring standout Phil Makris and New Fairfield forward Jack Benzing. Assistant captains are defenseman Eli Kirby, and forwards Tyler DiMartino and James Celentano, a key point-getter.

New Fairfield’s Ronan McAllister brings a strong defensive presence to the team. Wiley Harris is a solid returning forward.

With the addition of seven New Fairfield players, Newtown’s roster is deep. What’s more, Esposito said the team’s player size is as big as he can remember in 20 years of high school coaching (17 at NHS).

“There’s a lot of talent that’s going to be spread out,” Esposito said, referring to offensive production, defensive effort, goaltending, and the fact the skill is also split between two towns now.

“I think we have a lot of punch offensively. We have guys who will score,” the coach anticipates.

Tough competition will come from the likes of the BBD team, Immaculate of Danbury, New Milford, and Masuk of Monroe. Esposito added that competition stands to be challenging every night and that it will be interesting to see how teams are impacted by players having to quarantine.