Former Victoria Grizzlies captain Alex Newhook returns tonight to the province that has meant as much to him as his native Newfoundland.
Not only was he B.C. Hockey League rookie of the year and MVP during his two seasons in Victoria, but fate had his NHL draft year headquartered at Rogers Arena in Vancouver in 2019, out which he was selected 16th overall in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.
Newhook returns to B.C. tonight to play the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, not that it was looking such a sure thing just a week ago. Tagged a training-camp disappointment by the Avalanche, and glaringly so in the media, Newhook was sent down to the affiliate Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League before working his way back up.
In returning to the Avs, Newhook scored his first NHL regular-season goal, and has two points in the three games after his call-up.
“It feels good,” Newhook said in the media session following that goal last weekend in San Jose against the Sharks.
“I’m just trying to play my game. One of my strengths is using my speed to get to the net and make plays around the net. That’s something I’m trying to focus on — being a threat and not just kind of playing the game — being a difference maker and being effective every time I’m out there. I’d like to continue to do that and keep it going.”
The Belmont Secondary graduate’s first career NHL goal was last season in the playoffs as he had two points in eight post-season games and three assists in six regular-season games after joining the Avalanche following Boston College’s elimination in the NCAA tournament.
Five points in nine regular-season NHL games shows a glimmer for any 20-year-old forward. Not that it was evident in Avalanche training camp, in which the reviews were harsh. But Newhook showed his prowess in the AHL with four goals and 11 points in 10 games with the Eagles, to add to his four goals and nine points in eight AHL games last season. A point-a-game-performer in the AHL, he needs to prove he can replicate that in the NHL.
“The points started to come after a few games with the Eagles and I just started to feel better,” Newhook said in a media session, following his call-up from his time in the minors.
“Sometimes it’s just about getting your feet under you. Maybe they weren’t so much under me at the start [in Avs training camp]. It comes when you’re playing more and touching the puck more. I played with the puck a lot more with the Eagles and thought I was making better decisions. And I was playing better away from the puck. When you’re doing those little things, points come.
“Hopefully, I continue to play my way and play my game and help the Avs over the next little while. I think they just wanted to see me improve in a lot of areas. I took a lot of strides with the Eagles. I went in with a positive attitude and made the most of it every day down there in games and practices and learned as much as I can. I did my best down there and am happy to be back up.”
At five-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Newhook knows what it’s going to take to not only survive, but thrive, in the best hockey league in the world.
“Playing with speed is a big asset of mine,” added the Team Canada silver medallist from the 2021 world junior tournament.
“When I move my feet, and when I’m carrying the puck and making plays, is when I’m at my best. I try to be engaged every shift. It all starts with me skating.”
As important as the technicalities are, belief in oneself is just as key, and that has never waned with Newhook.
“I’m a pretty confident guy. I know what my abilities are,” he said.
He displayed those abilities in dazzling abundance at The Q Centre in his junior days with the Grizzlies. And there’s no better place to show those off again than tonight in his second province.
