The Montreal Canadiens will be able to count on a promising new forward in Alex Newhook.
The 22-year-old has just signed a four-year, $2.9 million-a-year contract with the team that acquired him from the Colorado Avalanche on June 27.
Also read: Canadian: four years for Alex Newhook
Here’s what you need to know about the Saint John native:
AFP
– A choice for the first round
The Avalanche selected Newhook with the 16th overall pick of the 2019 draft, one rank behind a certain Cole Caufield. He was the second player to be picked by the ‘Avs’ in the first round of the year after they targeted defender Bowen Byram with fourth pick overall.
Less than two years later, in 2021–2022, Newhook made the jump to the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in six regular season games and eight playoff games this season.
AFP
– Only the third
The following year, Newhook made twelve playoff games that allowed the Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup. The forward became the third Newfoundland and Labrador player in NHL history to experience such good fortune. The other two are Daniel Cleary (2008 with the Detroit Red Wings) and Michael Ryder (2011 with the Boston Bruins).
– Fast and agile
The new CH player isn’t exactly a breakthrough on the Bettman scene just yet, but he has the skills to get there. Its main strengths are its speed and agility. This can be seen in this compilation of his goals for 2022-2023.
– Some honors
Newhook simply made the BCHL burn in 2018-2019, amassing 102 points (38 goals and 64 assists) in 53 games in this British Columbia junior league. At the end of the season he was awarded the title “Player par Excellence” of his county and the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
The following year he landed in the NCAA with the Boston College Eagles. The left-handed center had 42 points, including 19 goals, in 34 games in his first stint on the American college network. He won the Rookie of the Year award in his division. He is also the only player in Eagles history to receive this honor.
– A sister who is “better than him”.
When asked by the NHL website, Newhook said he wasn’t the best hockey player in his family. According to him, his little sister Abby is the most talented among the siblings.
The 20-year-old hockey player has followed in her brother’s footsteps and plays for Boston College. In two NCAA seasons, the 5’7″ forward hit 36 goals and provided 29 assists for 65 points in 70 games.