It’s not often a 22-year-old has his jersey retired — in any sport.
But when you have the resumé that new Montreal Canadiens forward and Stanley Cup champion Alex Newhook has, the Victoria Grizzlies figured it was a no-brainer.
On Oct. 6, prior to a B.C. Hockey League game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Newhook’s No. 18 Grizzlies jersey will go up to The Q Centre rafters alongside those of fellow Stanley Cup champion Tyler Bozak and the Benn brothers, Olympic gold medallist Jamie, and long time NHLer Jordie.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Newhook said Thursday over the phone from Boston where he spends most of his summers these days.
“I mean, to have it happen when I’m this young is a tremendous honour and I’m super- excited about it.”
The St. John’s, Nfld., product who spent two memorable season with the Grizzlies, will be a little busy with his new NHL team in early October so a trip back to Victoria for the special night is likely not possible.
“Yah, it’s during the end of training camp and preseason so I don’t think I’ll be able to make it over, but it’s still a special honour and I just owe the Grizzlies organization so much.”
One person who will definitely be at The Q Centre on Oct. 6 is Newhook’s aunt, who lives in Victoria and who he recently visited.
“I just spent 10 days there because my aunt got married so we had a great time with the family and I got to catch up with some of the local guys I played with who are still around town so it was a lot of fun.
“We had a close-knit group when I played there and I still keep in touch with a lot of them.”
Newhook came to Victoria as a 16-year-old, passing up the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to pursue his dream of playing NCAA hockey at Boston College. His rookie season was cut short by a wrist injury that forced him to miss the last month of the 2017-18 season but he still put up 66 points in 45 games. But it was the 2018-19 season that he literally took over the BCHL. He led the league in scoring with 102 points in 53 games, including 64 goals and was named the league’s most valuable player. He added another 24 points in 15 playoff games as the Grizzlies made the final four that season.
“He was a heck of a player all right,” said former Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon, who was at the helm during Newhook’s two seasons in Victoria.
“You could see early on that he not only had exceptional speed and silky smooth hands, but he was also an extremely focused, determined young man. His work ethic, his committment to all parts of being an elite athlete were outstanding.
“And I think it’s amazing how much of a positive impact Alex has had on the Grizzlies and continues to have. A well deserved honour for him.”
Those two years in Victoria led to the Colorado Avalanche selecting Newhook 16th overall in the 2019 NHL draft, which just happened to be in Vancouver. Then it was off to Boston College for two seasons with the Eagles before turning pro in the spring of 2021 and helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
And this summer, an old family friend came calling with another opportunity, and it was off to the Canadiens, who aquired him for 2023 first and second-round draft picks and defenceman Gianni Fairbrother. Montreal’s general manager, Kent Hughes, was Newhook’s agent before taking the Canadiens’ job, and Newhook, of course, played with Kent’s eldest son, Riley, on the Grizzlies.
“I had an amazing time in Colorado, obviously winning a Cup at such a young age was incredible, but I’m excited about the opportunity in Montreal,” Newhook said.
“Obviously, knowing Kent, and I even lived with Riley for a bit, really helps with the transition, so I’m looking forward to going to a little bit younger team and helping accelerate the rebuild there so I can’t wait to get going up there.”
But first thing’s first for Newhook. He has to go see little sis take on the Americans as a member of Canada’s national women’s development team. Abby Newhook also attends Boston College and this week she’s taking part in a three-game series between the Canadian and U.S. U-23 teams in Lake Placid, New York.
“I’m heading there [today] and going to catch the last game [on Saturday]. Should be fun, she’s doing great. And then I’ll likely head to Montreal in early September. Can’t wait to get going.”
