By ALEX SPONSELLER The Warwick co-op boys hockey team will have a big challenge this winter as it made the move up to the Division I ranks in its second year together.

After reaching the playoffs in Division II, the team will look to make noise at the state’s top level with a young core. The team will return a handful of key forwards and is currently trying to piece together a starting defensive core after graduating nearly its entire group from last season.

“We lost four quality defensemen which is big at this level, so we’ve had to make some adjustments and move some forwards to D, kids that are big. We return a nice core up front with guys like Charlie (Clements), (Ryan) Barlow, Richie Cavanaugh who is a freshman. We’ve got a nice unit behind them with (Brady) Martin, Sean Mullaney, Jacob Rianna. Then we still have kids returning like Aidan McNally, (Lucas) Hemond, we’re moving so many kids around. We’re trying to get our best athletes out there,” said Warwick coach Mike Boyajian.

The team will face an elite schedule not only in the state, but against out-of-state competition including Connecticut powerhouse Notre Dame and nearby Massachusetts power Attleboro. Although the team will likely have an uphill battle in the opening weeks, Boyajian and his staff are confident that the kids will be able to learn fast and compete for a postseason berth.

“The biggest thing moving up to this level is that we need to get prepared now. We need to have kids that want to play and if you don’t, it will be a long year. Our goal is to have a good year and make the playoffs. What has been nice about moving to Division I, is that it has helped us keep some kids that are excited to play at the higher level. We felt that with the co-op that it was the right thing to do. We’re excited for the challenge. It takes time, but you get better as the season goes on,” said Boyajian.

The team is getting prepared for its opener against Smithfield. Boyajian is excited for the matchup and feels that it is the perfect matchup for the team to start things off with.

“We open up against Smithfield, and that’s an atmosphere that you just have to walk into. It’s a good way to start against them, getting a feel for that speed, the emotions, you just want to weather the storm and the sprints that they put on you,” Boyajian said. “We have the right attitude with these players, but depth will be the key. We only have two forwards that are seniors, none of our defensemen are seniors. We’re young, but that’s OK. We will learn as we go. Our expectation is to play well and make the playoffs, then anything can happen.”

Junior varsity coach Dave Monte has also been thrilled with the influx of young talent and hopes to see the co-op continue to build a sustainable future for the city.

“It’s huge for the program. Bringing these two teams together, many of these kids have already played together and many of the kids at the sixth, seventh grade levels are already talking about moving up and being able to play Division I,” said Monte. “There are only two seniors on varsity this year, so that bodes well for the young guys. They’re excited.”