At the age of 14, Alex Newhook left Newfoundland to chase NHL dream

In order to attend St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, he moved away from his parents because there was little elite competition in his province.

In all my travels, Newfoundlanders are the friendliest people I have ever encountered.

I was blown away by how hospitable and friendly everyone was the two times I visited Newfoundland — in April 2016 to cover the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps for a week when they were the Canadiens’ farm team and in October last year to cover a Kraft Hockeyville preseason game between the Canadiens and Ottawa Senators in Gander.

I had that in mind when Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes acquired Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche on June 27 in exchange for a minor-league defenseman named Gianni Fairbrother, a first-round pick (31st overall), and a second-round pick (37th overall) at the NHL Draft.

Newhook was born and raised in St. John’s, where his parents Shawn and Paula still reside.

Why are Newfoundlanders such kind people?

Paula commented, “We’re a pretty small province,” on the phone Monday night from St. John’s. Newfoundlanders are known for living off the land because they are islanders. It has a big fishing industry. In my opinion, people are always willing to lend a hand to one another, whether things are going well or not. I believe that this attitude is now conveyed to visitors. Visitors are welcome at any time, especially in Newfoundland. 9/11 happened, and many of the planes were grounded here (in Gander). We’re always willing to welcome visitors inside and show them a fantastic time in Newfoundland.

But because there isn’t enough elite competition, Newfoundland isn’t the best place to live if you’re a gifted young hockey player. Newhook left home at the age of 14 in order to enroll at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario. He stayed there for two years before relocating to British Columbia, where he played hockey for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL and resided with his aunt Kelly Newhook.

In his debut season in the BCHL, Newhook won the rookie of the year award. The following year, when he had totals of 38-64-102 in 53 games, he won the MVP award. After the Canadiens picked Cole Caufield in the first round (16th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Avalanche were impressed enough to select Newhook.

The 22-year-old Newhook is one of only eight Newfoundlanders to ever be chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft, joining Keith Brown (selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh overall spot in 1979), John Slaney (selected by the Washington Capitals in the ninth overall spot in 1990), Terry Ryan (selected by the Canadiens in the eighth overall spot in 1995), Brad Brown (selected by the Canadiens in the 18th overall spot in 1994), Daniel Cleary ( Newhook will join Ryan, Brown, Michael Ryder, and Darren Langdon as the Canadiens’ sixth player from Newfoundland.