Grizzlies’ rookie sensation Newhook turning heads on and off the ice

CHEK

WATCH: We are one-quarter of the way through the BCHL regular season and right now, the Victoria Grizzlies sit in second place in the Island Division, one point back from first place. Now leading the way for Victoria on offence isn’t a veteran 20-year-old but rather a rookie 16-year-old who is turning heads.

Victoria Grizzlies rookie forward Alex Newhook is already leading his team in scoring at just 16-years-old.

The St. Johns, N.L. product came to Victoria for his first year of junior hockey and has quickly developed into one of the BCHL’s top scorers.

“It’s his speed which you notice most, it’s his speed,” Grizzlies teammate Marty Westhaver says, “And then his ability to play at such a high level against bigger guys, he’s a kid in a man’s body.”

With 18 points already in the young season, Newhook is drawing comparisons to some of the Grizzlies’ greats of the past, most notably, Tyler Bozak, who went on to join the Toronto Maple Leafs and has to date played more than 500 career NHL games.

“He’s got such great puck strength, and he’s got such great skill,” Grizzlies president Lance Black says, “This kid sees what other players don’t see.”

“You look at what he’s doing alone in this league, you know he’s on track for those kinds of expectations,” Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon says, “Maybe where Bozak was at 16, Alex is ahead of him at this point.”

“Yeah I mean it’s really cool to hear, anytime you get compared to someone like that it’s definitely an honour,” Newhook says, “But I try not to worry about it too much, people are going to say stuff, I’m just going to keep playing my game and keep going that way.”

The future Boston College Eagle is hoping to lead the Grizzlies to their second straight Island Division title.

Tyler BennettTyler Bennett

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!