Newtown Hockey Team Rakes In Cash To Offset Expenses

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School hockey players swapped their padded gloves for work gloves, helmets for winter hats, and sticks for rakes in a yard cleanup fundraising effort this past weekend.

The players worked alongside their parents and coaches to raise money in support of their own cause — helping to offset the cost per skater to play this season (after fundraising efforts, it will still cost each player roughly $1,500) — and neatened residents’ lawns in the process.

Accustomed to lugging around their hockey bags full of equipment, these teenagers carried bags full of leaves off a half-dozen lawns after they raked them this past Saturday. As one parent put it, they “raked in the dough.” The team started this fundraising effort a few weeks ago, with the goal of bringing in $1,000 and, 11 lawns later, achieved their goal (the Nighthawks would have done even more work had the previous Saturday not been washed out by heavy rain). The lawn work/fundraising idea came from Cody Foss, owner and head trainer at the Fitness Loft, who also works as the team’s strength coach. Foss told Newtown Head Coach Paul Esposito that some of his customers would be interested in paying to have the players rake their yards and that got the ball rolling. Members of the hockey program hung fliers to promote the fundraising effort and calls started coming in.

More than 30 players, coaches, and parents braved the 20-something-degree temperatures for several hours of yard work this past Saturday.

“It’s great. The only problem is that it’s a little bit cold — but other than that it’s really good,” said Mark Poeltl, whose son, Mike, plays for the Nighthawks. Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, and Bagel Delight donated coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks for the team.

Unlike the other school sports teams, the hockey team has to pay for nearly everything (the school pays the salaries of head and assistant coaches and for game referees). The hockey team practices three days each week at the Danbury Ice Arena (it costs nearly $400 for an hour of ice time). The Hawks, because of an influx of freshmen (13 new skaters), also had to get more jerseys this winter. Another expense the team endures is for bus rentals — not only to games, but also to practices. On top of the seasonal expenses, it also costs and arm and a leg to outfit players with the necessary equipment to protect their arms and legs — not to mention their heads and every other part of their bodies. Skates cost a few hundred dollars, helmets are about $150, and new sticks cost $100 to $200 apiece, just to name a few of the pricier items.

“It’s almost entirely a self-funded program,” said parent Jim Vitti. “Hockey’s one of the most expensive sports — if not the most expensive sport.”

New Fairfield High’s hockey team canceled its season this week because only 12 skaters came out for the team. It would have cost each player $900, even after fundraising and left over money from last year’s ticket sales, New Fairfield Athletic Director Jay Greenberg said. Greenberg said he hopes the school has its own team or that the players will have an opportunity to join forces with another area school for a cooperative team effort next fall.

Supporting The Cause

Steven and Stacia Helfand were among the Newtown hockey team’s customers who had their yard raked. Stacia Helfand’s brother plays hockey and she and Steven went to a game in Montreal for their honeymoon. The couple has three young children and anticipate that they will be playing hockey soon enough.

“We expect to go through our fair share of paying for new hockey skates, sticks, and other equipment,” said Steven Helfand, adding that it was nice to be able to contribute to the team needs all the while getting his yard cleaned up.

“It’s good because we’re getting a lot of money out of it and it all goes toward the team. It’s going to be worth it,” junior forward Sean Kennedy said of the leaf-raking and bagging efforts.

What’s more, this effort also was beneficial for team bonding. “It really helps bring the team together,” said freshman defenseman Josh Branchflower.

“It’s nice to see the kids put an effort in for something they enjoy,” added Mike Branchflower, Josh’s father, and a fellow hard-worker.

Scott Solomons, father of freshman player Jake, said the activity was a great way to bring the players together.

Juniors Patrick Shirley (a defenseman) and Dylan Deselin (a goaltender) pointed out that the bonding and opportunity for returning players to meet newcomers is a perk to the fundraising efforts.

“It’s fun hanging out with everyone,” freshman defender Alex Kelly added.

This year, more than two dozen players are trying out for the team, meaning there will be an opportunity to less experienced players to develop on a junior varsity squad. Esposito said there are a few dozen middle school boys and girls from Newtown playing in various leagues.

“The numbers are there. They’re really starting to grow,” Esposito said.

Those interested in sending a donation to the hockey team may send checks to “Friends of Newtown Hockey,” c/o Jim Vitti, 14 Apple Blossom Lane, Newtown CT 06470.