North Shore Welcomes Nighthawks Semi-Professional Hockey Team

MIDDLETON, MA — Hockey fans on the North Shore will not have to go far to watch semi-professional games this winter with the North Shore Nighthawks set to drop the puck in the new Single-A Union Hockey League.

The exhibition season is already underway for the team that will play out of the Essex Sports Center in Middleton.

"This is a new hockey league with a lot of promise," Nighthawks owner and team president Matthew Castonguay said. "I was so happy to learn of this exciting endeavor and be able
to bring a showcase of talented and dedicated hockey players to the North Shore area.

"We have worked so hard over the past year to develop and plan for our inaugural season."

The Nighthawks will be playing teams from New Hampshire to Michigan in the 16-team UHL. The roster is made up of former European professional players, ECHL and AHL veterans, and players who skated on elite U20 teams across the country.

Castonguay said the franchise is hoping to build a fanbase across the region to give the Nighthawks a true North Shore home-ice advantage.

"We hope to gain the attention of area hockey fans of all ages to come out and enjoy a budget-friendly experience and cheer on their new home team," he said. "The Essex Sports Center has been tremendous and has welcomed us with open arms."

The Nighthawks had a free exhibition game on Friday with a jersey reveal and special promotions, and upcoming exhibitions are set for Dec. 2 in Watertown and Dec. 16 at the Essex Sports Center.

The regular season is expected to begin in January with tickets ranging from $12 to $15. Family four packs are available for $50, which include a gift and "VIP treatment."

Castonguay said a limited number of season tickets will also be on sale on the team's website.

"Our goal is to provide a fun time for our North Shore families at a reasonable price," Castonguay said. "It's so hard for families to go to Bruins games and make it affordable.

"Although we're not the NHL, we hope to offer a low-cost option and fun fan experience that everyone will enjoy."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)