Alex Newhook’s number 18 will be retired by his junior team

In 159 NHL games, Alex Newhook isn’t off to the hoped-for start to his professional career. The former Colorado Avalanche player has racked up 66 points, which isn’t disastrous, but it’s clearly not the shadow of a guy who was drafted in the middle of the first round.

What gave him that value at the draft was his junior career. From 2019 to 2021 with Boston College, the forward collected 58 points in 46 games. And his two years before that, he broke all records with the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL, a junior league in British Columbia.

In 98 games with them, he collected an impressive 168 points, including 50 goals. In fact, his exploits earned him a handsome honor. The team will retire his number 18 next October.

The youngster is just 22 years old.

October 6 will therefore be a memorable evening for him, as his Grizzlies take on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Over the phone, the CH’s new forward said he was very excited by the news, but unfortunately, he doesn’t think he’ll be able to make the trip to British Columbia. He maintains that it’s the end of training camp and preparatory games, and he needs to be close to Montreal.

The Canadiens will play a warm-up game the following day (October 7) in Ottawa.

I’ve mentioned it before, but Newhook’s start to his professional career hasn’t matched his talent. A talent that the people of Victoria know very well. Could the Canadiens help the youngster find his feet in the NHL? Perhaps. Let’s hope he becomes a Kirby Dach 2.0.

In addition to Newhook’s 18, the numbers of Tyler Bozak and brothers Jordie and Jamie Benn are hoisted high in the Q Centre Arena.

In gusto

– Cole Caufield among NHL’s top scorers per 60 minutes.

– Zach Fucale consulted with Evgeny Kuznetsov.

– Really?

– Obviously.

– The Quebecer looked good.