Reece Newkirk

July 2024 – Reece Newkirk posted three points in 16 AHL appearances and 14 points in 16 ECHL games last season. Newkirk has now spent the majority of the three years of his entry-level contract in the ECHL, fighting to carve out a spot on the struggling Bridgeport Islanders. As a result, Newkirk was not given a qualifying offer by the Islanders and will try to find a spot in another organization. William Langstaff

July 2023 – The 2019 5th round pick once again spent another season playing primarily in Worcester (ECHL). Known mainly for his grit at this stage in his career, Newkirk will attempt to carve out a career in the minor leagues. He’s due to become an RFA in 2024. James Iacovone

June 2022 – With just two assists in 13 AHL outings and 28 points in 36 ECHL games, Newkirk will need a good training camp to stick with Bridgeport. If not, it’s back to Worcester. Mark Allan

March 2022 – Newkirk discovered the jump from junior to the AHL is a large one. After just one assist in 12 games with Bridgeport, the 21-year-old rediscovered his comfort zone in the ECHL. He’s got seven goals and 15 assists in only 24 outings with Worcester. He could get another crack at the AHL or remain with the Railers for the rest of the season. There’s no need to rush him. Mark Allan

October 2021 – After four promising seasons with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, Newkirk will make the big leap from junior to pro with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. Mark Allan

May 2021 – After his fourth WHL season, Newkirk signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders with an AAV of $828,333. The 20-year-old had nine goals and 18 assists in 24 appearances during the WHL’s COVID-abbreviated campaign. An alternate captain for the second straight season in Portland, Newkirk’s regarded as a hard-working center with some offensive ability. His next home will likely be Bridgeport. Mark Allan

March 2021 – After attending the Winterhawks’ training camp, the center is expected to skate in Portland’s WHL opener March 18 against the Tri-City Americans. While awaiting the league’s Covid-delayed launch, the 20-year-old had four goals and eight assists in six games while on loan to the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The SJHL is a notch below the WHL. Mark Allan

May 2020 – As awful as the disease is, the pandemic’s timing worked for Newkirk, at least in the short term. An initially terrifying skate-blade laceration to an arm caused major bleeding in November yet sidelined him for just two games, after which he rebounded with a 17-game point streak. A week-to-week injury suffered Feb. 23 was rendered moot when the Canadian Hockey League suspended play March 12 and the WHL scrapped the rest of its season. The 19-year-old would now love to just resume his development as a hockey player. Mark Allan

March 2020 – After 11 points in 58 games as a WHL rookie, the hard-working middleman improved dramatically with 23 scores and 59 points in 68 outings during his draft year. After the Isles chose him in the fifth round, he upped his offense again, totaling 29 goals and 65 points in 55 appearances so far in his third major junior campaign. He leads Portland with 15 PP goals, is second in goals and is tied for second with five game-winning scores. He gained valuable playoff experience in 2018 and 2019. Although he registered just three assists in 17 games, he will get another crack at the post-season with the powerful Winterhawks, who have the most points in the league. Newkirk is not big, although he packs 181 pounds on a 5-11 frame. His skillset is an attractive combination of good vision, focused finishing, clever passing and true grit. He is not shy about barging into dirty areas or mixing it up with larger opponents. Coaches trust him to play in all situations. The Islanders might have a well-rounded, two-way player with grit and some offense if they can be patient. Mark Allan