Alex Newhook has become a standout advertisement for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) following his overtime heroics for the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old forward, who played two seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies, scored the decisive goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Buffalo Sabres, securing a 3-2 victory for Montreal.
Newhook's Path to the NHL
Newhook, originally from St. John's, Newfoundland, chose to play for the Victoria Grizzlies to pursue an NCAA career. He had already committed to Boston College for the 2019-20 season before joining the BCHL. His major junior rights belonged to the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, but he opted for the BCHL route, living with his aunt while attending Belmont Secondary School.
In his final BCHL season (2018-19), Newhook dominated the league, winning the scoring title with 38 goals and 102 points in 53 games as a 17-year-old. He also led the playoffs in scoring with 24 points in 15 games, earning league MVP honors and recognition as the Canadian Junior A MVP and top NHL prospect.
Draft Day and Beyond
The Colorado Avalanche selected Newhook in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, making him the highest BCHL pick since Tyson Jost in 2016. Newhook was part of Colorado's 2022 Stanley Cup championship before being traded to Montreal in June 2023. This season, despite ankle surgery in November that sidelined him until late February, Newhook recorded 13 goals and 25 points in 42 regular-season games and has added seven goals and nine points in 14 playoff games.
Historic Game 7 Feat
Newhook's overtime winner made him just the second player in NHL history to score two Game 7 winners in a single postseason, joining Nathan Horton (2011). He also had the series-clinching goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
BCHL's Evolving Landscape
The BCHL has undergone significant changes since Newhook's tenure. The league left the Canadian Junior Hockey League in 2021 and became independent from Hockey Canada in 2023. This season, the NCAA opened scholarships to major junior players, altering the junior hockey landscape. Despite this, the BCHL still lists 144 players with NCAA commitments for this season, down from 292 in 2023-24.
Newhook's success underscores the BCHL's ability to develop elite talent. His sister, Abby Newhook, also followed a similar path, playing at Boston College and recently completing her rookie season with the PWHL's Boston Fleet.
