Colorado Avalanche Draft Alex Newhook 16th Overall

The Colorado Avalanche used their own first-round pick, #16, to choose center Alex Newhook.

The Colorado Avalanche have chosen to spend their #16 pick, their own from this season, on center Alex Newhook.

Newhook is a center out of St. John’s, NL, Canada. He played last season for the BCHL — where Tyson Jost also played — for the Victoria Grizzlies. He recorded 102 points (38 goals, 64 assists) in 53 games. He also served as their captain.

Alex Newhook will be playing at Boston College next season.

Alex Newhook

2018-19 Team: Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Date of Birth: Jan 28, 2001 (18 years old)
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Position: Center
Shoots: Left

Ranked #17 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #13 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #13 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #18 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #13 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #10 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #20 by TSN/McKenzie

Not surprisingly, Alex Newhook is a great skater. EPrinkside remarks:

“Newhook’s footwork, agility and heel-to-heel skating are high, high-end. He can skate circles around the opposition if he wants to.”

He’s renowned for being a terrific skater with excellent balance and agility. Indeed, many scouts remark on his explosiveness.

I like how Cam Robinson of Dobber Prospects describes Newhook’s skating:

“Speed for days and the disregard for safety to use it anywhere.”

He goes on to remark on how Newhook has “dangerous hands, good hockey sense” and the ability to be “equally deadly” whether he’s passing or shooting.

Chris Peters of ESPN calls Newhook a “highly skilled, silky center.”

As always, Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey goes into greater analysis. He remarks that Newhook has “game-breaking talent” in his skating, even calling his speed “best in class.” Kerr also observes that his acceleration, edgework, and agility are all top-notch so that Alex makes skating look “effortless.”

Kerr naturally also likes the offensive talent he sees, calling Newhook a “multi-facted offensive threat.” Kerr especially remarks on how fast Alex can make plays.

Interestingly, Kerr appreciated Newhook’s defensive game, too, saying he reads the play well and uses his positioning to cut down passing lanes. Indeed, Alex even plays a lot on the penalty kill.

Alex Newhook in action:

Newhook can’t spell Jarome Iginla, but we’re going to give him a pass on that:

Fun observation (not my own): The Colorado Avalanche added an apostrophe so that this year’s jerseys read ’19 instead of plain 19. Why? Because Sakic wore number 19, and that’s been retired. Not even draft players may wear that number apparently:

Future of Alex Newhook and the Colorado Avalanche

Well, Colorado is staying true to form. Alex Newhook is another player who hits all three of the keys — speed, skill, and hockey sense. He’s known as a playmaker, and that fits well with the team.

Newhook sees himself as a good fit for the team, too:

Watching the video above, it is a lot of fun to watch Newhook score. He does have some silky hands.
Newhook already has his own fan club:

I’m not a huge fan of choosing from a league that’s lower than major juniors. I understand that’s the way it has to play out for these players who want to go to college. I do like that Newhook is going to get his development in the NCAA. I hope he goes the Cale Makar route and goes a full two years.

Alex Newhook will probably join his fellow draftee, Bowen Byram, at the Prospect Development Camp that takes place next week, on-ice activities starting Wednesday.