In Boston, a reminder of what Alex Newhook can become for Avalanche

Coach Jerry York quickly learned to take cover from Alex Newhook’s shenanigans. Then a freshman in York’s Boston College program, Newhook always liked to douse himself with water before his hockey games, but now the ritual was expanding.

Newhook gathered water bottles, carried them up and down the bench and splashed every one of his teammates to energize them – an audacious initiative for a freshman on a team loaded with seniors.

“The first couple of games he did it, I’m like, ‘This kid’s out of his mind,’” assistant coach Mike Ayers said. “And then it got to the point where everybody was looking for it. The managers are filling up water bottles because they’re empty, and it’s five minutes into the game.”

Oddly enough, it worked. Already an impact player, Newhook’s tradition made him equally effective as a hype beast. “Some guys started to get in on it,” he said. “Ended up becoming a team thing, which is a bit funny.”

York, BC’s celebrated head coach, beamed at Newhook’s enthusiasm while also dodging him. He sometimes left his notebook on the bench, only for the contents of its pages to get smudged. It was in the splash zone. Not wanting his suits to suffer the same fate, York hid behind Ayers whenever Newhook was within range.

He coached college hockey for 50 years, but he’ll always remember Newhook’s “exuberance” separating him from most young athletes.

That quality can be difficult to channel while struggling on the ice. Visiting the alma mater is a nice way to rediscover it. Newhook has been an integral thread in the story of the 2022-23 Colorado Avalanche so far, seemingly in three parts: his tryout phase at second-line center, his period of scrutiny from coach Jared Bednar for a lack of production after moving to wing, and his recent steady uptick – which has crucially coincided with Colorado’s injury swarm.

When the Avs returned home from a four-game road trip, Newhook was one of five everyday forwards left on the roster.

“He’s a guy I expect a lot from right now,” Bednar said. “We’ve been working with him on his game. … We’re in teach mode, right? But he’s a guy that’s been around getting taught for a couple years now, so I expect less mistakes and more value in his game. And I think he’s showing it. I think we’re seeing a dangerous player on a lot of nights.”

That wasn’t Bednar’s impression at the 14-game mark when Newhook was stuck at three points entering a one-on-one, “solutions-based” meeting with the coach. What the Avs were witnessing didn’t match what they believe Newhook can be – what influenced them to draft him No. 16 overall in 2019.

For a reminder of what he can be, start in Boston.

Newhook recorded 42 points in his only full season with the program, leading his team and all NCAA freshmen with 19 goals. He scored four game-winners. He was ninth nationally in points per game.

He made time to visit campus the day before Colorado faced the Bruins last weekend. “Lot of my friends are still seniors, so it’s good to see them,” Newhook said. He watched their home game that night. His sister, Abby, plays for the women’s team. She played Saturday afternoon then made it to Alex’s game that night.

York’s discovery of Newhook was unorthodox: He received a call from an old friend who owned a restaurant in Cape Cod. There was a family from Newfoundland, Canada, that visited the cape multiple summers and always got into hockey conversations with him at the restaurant. “Their son is supposed to be very, very good,” York remembers being told.

“You get tips all the time from people: ‘Watch this player. Watch this player,’” York said. “And half the time you’re kind of listening but not listening.”

But he followed up on Newhook, making more calls. Then he eventually saw the teenage center play in Toronto. Newhook was at St. Andrew’s College at the time, an Ontario boarding school. He lived up to the hype. “Sure enough both Newhooks end up at BC,” York said.

York is retired, but Ayers still coaches. He and Newhook used to hit the ice at 8 a.m. on Newhook’s request, before classes started. They experimented with different angles where Newhook could find space to create for himself. “He wanted feedback all the time,” Ayers said. “Some kids thrive off only hearing positive stuff. He wanted to hear everything.”

So that meeting with Bednar? No sweat. Former coaches have experienced how Newhook embraces constructive criticism.

“There was no sulk in him at all,” York said.

As for what always stood out most about his potential, both identify the distinct sights and sounds of Newhook’s skating.

“I just think about his little hop that he starts out with,” Ayers said. “Every single stride he takes, he’s got that little hop to him.”

“Strong, powerful skater,” York said. “You can hear him skate when you’re turned around.”

Ayers remembers a “Beanpot” rivalry game against Harvard when Crimson defenseman Jack Rathbone gave the puck away. Newhook took possession and skated into the offensive zone with Rathbone in pursuit.

The summer after Newhook signed with the Avalanche, Ayers ran into Newhook and Rathbone and brought up the play. He remembers the response from Rathbone, a blueliner for the Canucks now: “Of course the only guy I turned it over to was Newhook. I can’t catch him.”

Breakaway short-handed goal.

That game was also at TD Garden in Boston. When Newhook played there last Saturday, he was far from the best skater on his team. He’s surrounded by the world’s best now in Colorado. His new challenge is finding a way to make an impact even when he’s not the premier point producer.

“Take the points out of it,” Bednar said. “You’re seeing a productive player from him.”

Two nights after the Boston game, Newhook scored twice. He also stopped a puck with his cheek. Now he’s playing top line with a festive holiday blend of red, purple and black covering the left side of his face. When asked if he can feel it in practice, he said, “Oh, yeah,” with a grin.

Pretty much sums up what Ayers remembers from BC: Newhook can take a punch the same way he takes criticism. “He always brought a joy and exuberance to the rink.”

Source: Read Full Article