The Niverville Nighthawks are set to kick off the 2025–26 season with a veteran-laden roster, a group of talented newcomers, and a clear objective: build on the momentum from last year’s progress.
After a record-setting season that saw the Nighthawks notch a franchise-best 35 wins and 79 points, while allowing a franchise-low 159 goals against, the team clearly took a big step forward.
Despite their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the regular-season champion Winkler Flyers, the experience proved invaluable—and now the Nighthawks are hungry to build on that momentum and push even further.
Veterans Leading the Way
This year, the team will lean on a solid group of returning players. As the campaign begins, fans can expect to see the strong veteran core back in action, a group that head coach Dwight Hirst describes as hungry and determined to take the next step.
“This year is one of the first years we’ve had so many veterans returning,” Hirst says. “I think that’s a testament to what’s been going on here the last couple of years, building something in the right direction. They all wanted to come back. They didn’t want to test the waters somewhere else. They felt last year in the playoffs against Winkler that they’re getting close, and they got a taste of the success we’ve been building. It’s exciting to see them return with an appetite to be even better this year.”
Youth Adding Spark
While experience will be a key strength, the Nighthawks have also injected some fresh talent into the lineup. Training camp revealed several young players who are ready to compete at this level. Although the coaching staff isn’t singling anyone out just yet, Hirst says there’s plenty of excitement about the energy and intensity these newcomers will bring to the ice.
“With a bit of an older team this year, we’re going to have to sprinkle in some youth,” he says. “When we get to the longer days of the season, we’ll need the young guys to add energy and spark. We feel good about the younger players we’ve added and are excited about what they’ll bring.”
Despite the strong talent on display at training camp, the coaching staff recognized a few key areas that needed to be filled. Midway through the preseason, they addressed those needs by trading defenceman Lane Apperley and forward Kanye Huang to the Northern Manitoba Blizzard in exchange for defenceman Aaron Krestanowich and forward Tyler Bernier.
“With Avery Laliberte moving on to Waterloo (USHL), we had a spot on the left side that needed to be filled,” Hirst says. “Bringing in someone like Aaron Krestanowich not only fills that spot but also adds valuable WHL experience, a Turnbull Cup champion, and a steady presence on the blue line. As for Tyler Bernier, he brings speed, experience, and can handle tough minutes, including on the penalty kill, which helps take some of the load off our top players. He’s another key addition to our lineup this season.”
At the same time, Hirst acknowledges the difficulty of moving Apperley, a popular returnee from last season.
“You get to know these young men. Lane was a community guy, working at the local lumber yard, very team-oriented, and just a really nice man to have around. But it’s also a great opportunity for him to go to the Blizzard and get minutes he might not have had here with our veteran defence core. We think it’s a move that benefits both the player and the organization.”
Learning From Last Year
Last season was Hirst’s first full year behind the Nighthawks bench, and the team showed measurable progress, but he admits there’s still plenty of room to grow.
“It was a real success for us,” he says. “We went from a -3 goal differential in 2023–24 to +48 last season, and our special teams were in the top three. It was about setting the standard of how we want to play, and the returning guys really brought that standard into camp this year.”
Even though it’s a new season, Hirst says that the team’s first-round playoff loss to Winkler still lingers, and it has fuelled the group and injected them with motivation to excel.
“That group that’s returning still has that taste in their mouth. At the end of the day, no matter what level you’re at, your goal is to win the last game of the season. We want to get past the first round and make a deeper run. Last year we added nine more wins to our overall record. We’d like to do that again and move further up the standings. Goal number one is hosting a playoff series at our rink.”
What Fans Can Expect
When Nighthawks fans pack into the CRRC this season, Hirst says they’ll see a team that plays hard, skates fast, and never lets up.
“Some teams got a glimpse of it last year,” he says. “We want to play fast—not just with skating but with puck movement, relentless forechecking, and pace. We’re a team that’s well-conditioned, prepared, and won’t quit until the last whistle. The players who were here a year ago are now a year older, a year stronger, and they’ll only get better as the season goes on.”
With a team that reflects the heart of its community—in other words, hardworking and resilient—the Nighthawks are stepping into a new era. The bar has been raised, and with a veteran core and boost of youthful energy, they believe the best is yet to come.
Niverville opens their season this coming Friday night, September 19 when they host the Winnipeg Blues at the CRRC. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.