Alex Newhook

August 2022 – Newhook was a bottom-six contributor during the Avs’ cup run and is a lock for the 2022-23 campaign, meaning he has officially graduated from prospect status. After Nazem Kadri’s departure, he figures to play a more important role for the team.

March 2022 – He won’t be hitting any Calder ballots, but Newhook’s 23 points in 54 games played is fine by fantasy owners and he has nowhere to go but up. His shot volume has climbed to the 2/game mark over the last month and while his hit and block numbers aren’t huge, they are enough to give him auxiliary value in many fantasy leagues. He has cemented a spot in the Avs’ middle-six and will get a shot at the top-six next season as the team is due for some free agent turnover. He will likely stay a winger for the remainder of 2021-22, but keep an eye on him to return to center ice in the future. Hayden Soboleski

December 2021 – Newhook scored over a point-per-game during his AHL assignment and is now popping off in the NHL…sound familiar? The brief demotion remains questionable but if played a factor in getting his current results, no one will argue. In 15 games back with the Avs, Newhook has 10 points, over 1 SOG per game and is playing center (albeit with a very poor faceoff win rate currently). His shooting rate is due for regression at some point, however this level of production in just 13 minutes per game and occasional PP2 usage is impressive and should have fantasy owners excited for what he will do with a bigger role when the time comes. Hayden Soboleski

October 2021 – In a surprising turn of events, Newhook has been assigned to the AHL within a week of making the NHL squad out of pre-season. This comes with two top offense-generating players out of the lineup, which could have led to some top powerplay time for the rookie. The team has not commented on a reason for the move, so we can only hope that the top prospect spends about as much time with the Eagles as he did last season prior to making the jump. Hayden Soboleski

May 2021 – Newhook lasted only 8 games in the AHL, putting up 9 points in that span and 2.5 SOG/game. He quickly proved worthy of an NHL audition where he managed 3 points in 6 games in the middle-six and just over 1 SOG and 4 FOW per game. His hit, block, and PIM peripheral stats are unlikely to move the needle, but that comes secondary for an offensive threat like Newhook. He has remained in the lineup for the playoffs but has moved to a bottom-six winger role seeing under 6 minutes per night on average, which has understandably reduced production of most stats. He has proven himself NHL-ready immediately and will have a full-time middle-six spot ready for him in 2021-22 (barring some major off-season additions to the roster). Hayden Soboleski

March 2021 – Newhook has signed his 3-year ELC with the Avs. He is projected to be assigned to the AHL Eagles.

March 2021 – With his second college season in the rearview mirror, Newhook-watch is on in Colorado. He put up 7 goals, 16 points, and 48 SOG in 12 contests as a sophomore, all slightly higher paces from his rookie campaign. He is now free to sign an ELC if the organization thinks he’s ready for the AHL (or the NHL), however given how little hockey he played this year due to quarantine periods and his WJC shoulder injury it’s possible that he remains in college to become more dominant as a junior. The Avs took top prospect Cale Makar straight to the NHL after his sophomore campaign so there is a chance Newhook becomes fantasy-relevant very soon, however he is not at the same elite level Makar was and will most likely have to try out in the AHL first. Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – Newhook has won silver with Team Canada at the 2021 WJC. He was a strong performer all tournament long, and was creating dangerous chances in the top-six consistently. An upper-body injury knocked him out of one and a half games but he returned for the semifinals and final without looking uncomfortable. Being silenced in the final was a shock for all the high-octane forwards on the squad, but his point-per-game performance was still recognized and should have him ready to go as he can now start his sophomore NCAA campaign (after yet another quarantine period of course). Hayden Soboleski

December 2020 – Newhook is entering the WJC tournament as Team Canada’ 2nd-line centerman. This is an impressive spot to be, but given Canada’s depth this year there is still likely going to be lots of opportunity for shuffling. Hayden Soboleski

December 2020 – The 2020-21 NCAA campaign has begun but Newhook has yet to see in-game action thanks to the quarantine periods required to move between Boston College and Team Canada WJC invitee activities up North. He has been named to the preliminary U20 roster and it will be very interesting to see where he slots in among a stacked lineup. The reigning NCAA Rookie of the Year should be on everyone’s radars by now, but appearing for Team Canada always boosts fantasy stock to another level. Hayden Soboleski

April 2020 – Newhook has been named NCAA Rookie of the Year for 2019-20. This is not a surprise if you’ve read any of the recent updates. He is top-tier fantasy prospect. Hayden Soboleski

March 2020 – Newhook has been named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team. This is no surprise as not only did he lead all freshmen in scoring, but he sat T-4th in the league in points-per-game among all ages. His fantasy stock is rising, and he is easily worth owning in most dynasty league formats with a minors system, but don’t expect a rush to the NHL. There may be an opening for him sooner rather than later, but there are other internal options to prevent the Avs from pressuring Newhook out of college so soon.  He has committed to another year with Boston College. Hayden Soboleski

March 2020 – With 40 points as a rookie, Newhook has joined some strong company as just the 12th teenager to do so (the most recent being Clayton Keller, Adam Fox, and Brock Boeser).  Despite the exciting offense, there is no rush to move him to pro so expect him to continue to light up the NCAA for another year. Hayden Soboleski

December 2019 – Newhook has begun his rookie NCAA season with Boston College with a very respectable 11 points in 13 games, good for fourth on his squad. This might be due for a dip considering his shooting percentage of 29% and his shot rate of less than 2 SOG per game, but he’s taken the big step from Junior A to a much more mature NCAA without much of a hiccup, which is always a good sign. He has been invited to Team Canada’s WJC Selection Camp, and will be in the mix for a bottom-six role come the holiday season. Hayden Soboleski

June 2019 – The Colorado Avalanche have selected Newhook with the 16th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. This was considered an excellent value pick, as he was one of a few high-talent forwards that slid thanks to some surprising reaches beforehand. Don’t expect to see him in Burgundy next season, but he will be taking Colorado by storm in the upcoming years. Hayden Soboleski

June 2019 – Newhook was officially measured at 5-foot-10.5 and 192 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine.  Jokke Nevalainen

May 2019 – Newhook concluded his second and final BCHL season by running away with the league scoring title. His 102 points in 53 contests were 18 more than the second-place (and soon-to-be 21-year-old) finisher. However, Newhook’s fantastic output was met with tepid feelings as he was supposed to dominate that level. He woke many scouts with his play at the recent World U18 Championships as he tied for the team lead with 10 points in seven games and showcased his blinding speed throughout. Already a strong two-way player, the Boston College commit offers the full array of skills. He’s made a strong case to be a top-15 lock this June with some consideration to going in the top-10. Cam Robinson

February 2019 – Newhook kicked off February with a five-point performance in a 6-2 victory over Powell River in perhaps one of his most well-rounded performances of the season. Newhook hit the 90-point mark midway through February, but will likely fall just short of cracking 100 points when the regular season ends at the end of the month. Newhook’s speed makes him look like a man among boys, and his playmaking instincts are second to none in Jr. A. Newhook has spent his junior career playing top-line minutes and is often a dangerous threat on the power play. He’s far from a selfish player, but he knows when to keep the puck to himself and how to get himself out of trouble with the puck along the boards. Steven Ellis

January 2019 – Newhook took part in the CJHL Top Prospects Game, but the top prospect in tier two hockey in Canada struggled to put on a show. Newhook finished the game without a point and wasn’t a major threat around the net. Despite multiple weak performances in showcase events, Newhook has proven that he can be more than capable at holding his own against top competition in the BCHL and despite playing below his usual standard, he was far from a slouch. Newhook put his two-way game on display, doing a good job of backchecking to keep the puck away from the net and showing a willingness to throw a couple of hits to gain control of the puck. Newhook finished the month with 20 points in 12 games, with two four-point efforts highlighting his play as he continued to sit atop of the BCHL scoring race. Steven Ellis

December 2018 – Newhook’s month was highlighted by the World Junior A Challenge, given that he only played in two games with the Grizzlies in December. Newhook had four assists in six games for Canada West, who came away with bronze at the event. Newhook was outshined by the play of Harrison Blaisdell, Dylan Holloway and Austin Wong, but Newhook showed the usual chemistry expected when he lines up with Grizzlies teammate Alexander Campbell. Newhook’s next appearance for Canada should be at the Under-18 World Championships in April, where he’ll be counted on as one of the team’s most important playmakers. Steven Ellis