With almost all of last year's varsity players back in the mix, and the additions of some promising newcomers to the lineup, Newtown High School's hockey team could be in for a magical late-February and early-March ride as this winter campaign comes to a close.

"If everything goes well, I really think we have a good chance to win the conference this year, for the first time," said Newtown Coach Paul Esposito, adding that run deep in the Division III state playoffs is also on the to-do list for the Nighthawks.

A key to the success of the Hawks, culminating with a triumph in the Division III state championship four years ago, was the leadership provided by the captains.

"That really contributed to our success this year," Esposito said.

This year's version of the Nighthawks is led by captains Scott McLean, Scott Bauer, Lucas O'Brien, and Sean Ferris, although Ferris begins the season on the injury list and is hopeful of a late-season return. The captains, who were freshmen on that state championship squad, bring a strong work ethic and great attitude to the locker room and ice, the coach said.

"They're really trying to replicate that vibe that we had," Esposito said. "I think these guys are hungry to win again."

O'Brien points out that he and the other captains want to take what the captains of that squad did and apply it this year.

"This is a team that has a lot of chemistry to it," O'Brien said.

The Nighthawks have depth at every position, including in goal with seniors Kyle Murphy and John McCann both vying for playing time between the pipes.

"I expect them to push each other, which is good," Esposito said.

Ferris would be a strong returning D man and, while he is sticking around to support the team, his on-ice presence will be missed. The defense, even so, is strong, Esposito believes. The group is led by Bauer, sophomore Cole Bepko, who saw plenty of action on the blue line last season, and new-to-varsity sophomore Jetson Ku, who at 6-foot-2, adds size on the blue line.

Top scorer and point-getter Dominic Cartelli, a senior, is back to lead the offense, along with O'Brien and McLean. David Brestovansky, who had regular ice time on the top line as a freshman last year, and juniors Jack Hanley, Marc Carlson, and Devin Marsh also return as top players.

"We have some depth which we haven't had in previous years," Bauer said.

Esposito is excited by the speed of his team and the overall fast pace of drills in preseason. The coach is looking for short shifts, efficiency in moving the puck out of the defensive zone to create attacks on offense, and use of that depth - running three to four lines of forwards in each game if all goes as planned.

Esposito also said there are freshmen with potential to work their way into the lineup.

Tough competition in the combined South-West Conference/Southern Connecticut Conference are SWC rivals Masuk of Monroe, Joel Barlow of Redding, and the Brookfield-Bethel-Danbury co-op, although "we don't overlook anybody," Esposito notes. And SCC representatives Lyman Hall and Shepaug will be tough, he anticipates.

On the state level, Woodstock Academy could pose some problems and it remains to be seen what other teams will bring to the ice this winter, Esposito said.

The regular season is set to begin on Saturday, December 17, with Wilton visiting Danbury Ice Arena for a 2 pm puck drop. Newtown's first six contests, which carry it through the New Year, are in Danbury - including a December 28 road game against Joel Barlow, at 4 pm.

The Hawks will face off with Barlow again in a January 27 battle, and they'll host Masuk three days later; both contests begin at 7:50 pm.