5 Teams to Watch

Brookfield-Bethel-Danbury: The reigning South-West Conference champs made it all the way to the finals in the Division III state playoffs, where they fell to Guilford. Expect a young yet reloaded IceCats' team -- always a force in and out of the SWC -- to be in the mix once again this season.

Watertown-Pomperaug: The Indians enter the season as the SWC's favorite to take the Division III state crown, returning most from a roster that went 13-9 in 2009-10.

Ridgefield: FCIAC finalists went 16-9 and despite key losses on defense, should be in the mix for another league title.

Newtown: Winners of the Danbury Jamboree preseason tournament, coach Paul Esposito's group is big, physical and boasts two lines' worth of quality playmakers up front. A first-time state quarterfinalist last season, the Nighthawks are primed for a deeper run in 2010-11.

Ridgefield girls: The 2004 FCIAC champs are a perennial contender under coach Paul Fabbri.

5 Players to Watch

Ted Benoit, junior, Newtown: Nighthawks' co-captain missed most of last year with a wrist injury. With a big shot and a big body (6-foot-1, 215 lbs.), should rack up goals on a talented line alongside Hunter Dolyak and Christian Blaze.

Justin Sullivan, senior, B-B-D: One of two Division III players to participate in the Northeast's fall showcase, the IceCats' captain and only returning defenseman will be leaned on to help a young team gel in time for a second half push.

Brian Fay, senior, Watertown-Pomperaug: Star on the Panthers' baseball team is a co-captain on the Indians and a sniper from the left wing.

Ryan McGowen, senior, Joel Barlow: Falcons' co-captain was an All-SWC honorable mention at defenseman last year.

Luiz Dibble, sophomore, B-B-D: Excelled in net for the IceCats as a freshman, notching 15 wins and topping the 25-save mark four times.

5 Games to Watch

Joel Barlow vs. Masuk, Dec. 15: Old rivals open the year at the Danbury Ice Arena tonight at 7:40 p.m., as part of Barlow coach Pete Maxfield (a former Falcon) and Masuk coach Andy Townsend's efforts to restore what was once a season-opening tradition.

Newtown vs. B-B-D, Jan. 29: The much-anticipated rematch of a 2-1 Ice Cats' victory in the quarters of last year's Division III playoffs. Could signal a changing of the guard in the SWC.

B-B-D at Watertown-Pomperaug, Jan. 15 (at The Taft School, Watertown): Early season matchup of Division III title hopefuls.

Ridgefield at Fairfield, Feb. 16: The Tigers' shot at redemption against a powerhouse Fairfield Prep team that ousted them from the quarterfinals in the Division II playoffs.

Ridgefield girls vs. New Canaan, Dec. 15 (at Winter Garden, Ridgefield): The Ridgefield girls try for a 2-0 start at 3:30 p.m., today against the four-time state champion Rams.