Alex Newhook

Alexander Newhook Bio

Alexander Newhook is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on January 28, 2001, Newhook was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, becoming the third player from Newfoundland and Labrador to capture hockey’s ultimate prize, following Daniel Cleary (2008) and Michael Ryder (2011). Newhook was later traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2023 and signed a four-year, $11.6 million contract extension that July.

Early Life and Background

Newhook began skating at the age of four in his hometown of St. John’s. As a youth, he left Newfoundland to attend St. Andrew’s College, a boarding school located in Aurora, Ontario. During his time at St. Andrew’s, Newhook also played the trombone and won a national band competition during his tenth-grade year. After St. Andrew’s, he joined the York Simcoe Express of the Eastern AAA Hockey League, where he served as team captain and was named the U16 AAA Player of the Year across the Ontario Minor Hockey Association in 2017.

Path to Hockey

Newhook joined the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the 2017-18 season. He finished second in team scoring with 66 points in 45 games and recorded nine points through 12 playoff games. He was named team captain following that season. Early in the 2018-19 season, Newhook signed his Letter of Intent to join Boston College of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2019-20 season. He led all BCHL skaters in scoring during his final junior year and earned the Vern Dye Memorial Award as the league’s most valuable player. He was also recognized as the MVP across the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

Alexander Newhook Career

College Career (2019-2021)

Newhook had an impressive freshman campaign with the Boston College Eagles, posting 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 34 games. He led all Hockey East freshmen in points and goals, led all NCAA freshmen in goals, and tied for seventh in scoring among all NCAA skaters. For his efforts, Newhook was named recipient of the Tim Taylor Award as the best NCAA rookie, becoming the first such player in Boston College history. He was also named Hockey East Rookie of the Year and earned Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors. Due to participation in the 2021 World Juniors tournament and quarantine requirements, Newhook missed the start of his sophomore campaign. After returning following a silver medal result with Team Canada, he was injured in his season debut and was limited to just 12 games, posting seven goals and 16 points.

Colorado Avalanche Era (2021-2023)

On March 31, 2021, Newhook ended his collegiate career by agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He was initially assigned to the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL). After producing five goals and nine points through eight games with the Eagles, he was called up to the Avalanche’s taxi squad on May 2, 2021. He made his NHL debut three days later in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first NHL goal during Game 3 of the opening playoff round against the St. Louis Blues on May 21, appearing in eight playoff games as Colorado was eliminated in the second round.

Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Newhook secured an opening night roster spot but was reassigned to the Eagles after a single game, with coach Jared Bednar citing his need for more confidence with the puck. He returned to the NHL ranks after ten games and registered 33 points over the remainder of the regular season. He played the entirety of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers and the championship-clinching Stanley Cup Final over the Tampa Bay Lightning, contributing four assists in 12 total games. With the victory, he became the third player from Newfoundland and Labrador to win the Stanley Cup.

The 2022-23 season presented Newhook with a significant opportunity following the departure of longtime second-line centre Nazem Kadri. Despite initial encouragement from Kadri, Newhook struggled with the expanded role and was frequently played as a winger. On December 5, he skated in his 100th career NHL game, scoring a goal in a loss to Philadelphia. He finished the regular season with 14 goals and 16 assists in 82 games, but the Avalanche were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Seattle Kraken, with Newhook registering only one assist in seven games.

Montreal Canadiens Era (2023-Present)

On June 27, 2023, Newhook was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a first-round and second-round pick in 2023 and prospect Gianni Fairbrother. The trade reunited him with his former agent Kent Hughes, now serving as the Canadiens’ general manager. On July 11, 2023, Newhook signed a four-year, $11.6 million contract extension with Montreal. He played his first game with the Canadiens on October 11, 2023, scoring two goals in the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Initially placed on the second line with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovský, Newhook was shifted to centre after Dach sustained a long-term injury in the team’s second game. After struggling at the position, he was moved back to wing following Christian Dvorak’s return in early November. He found more success in that role, recording seven goals and six assists before sustaining a high ankle sprain in a November 30 game against the Florida Panthers, which resulted in a 27-game absence. He returned on February 10, 2024, versus the Dallas Stars and achieved several career milestones afterward. On March 19, he skated in his 200th career NHL game, and he recorded his 100th career NHL point on April 16 against the Detroit Red Wings.

Notable Events and Milestones

In the 2025-26 season, Newhook collected 12 points through 17 games before fracturing his ankle after hitting the boards during a matchup versus the Dallas Stars on November 13. Following surgery, he was expected to miss four months of action. He returned to the lineup on February 26, 2026, recording an assist in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders. He scored the series-winning goal in Game 7 of the Canadiens’ first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving Montreal their first playoff series victory in five years. With consecutive multi-goal efforts against the Buffalo Sabres in Games 2 and 3 of the second round, he became the first Canadiens player to achieve this postseason feat since Mark Recchi in 1997. He scored his second series-clinching goal in overtime of Game 7 on May 18, ousting the Sabres and sending Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. He became the first player in Canadiens franchise history to score an overtime goal on the road in a Game 7.

Alexander Newhook Career Wins

Newhook has accumulated wins across multiple levels of hockey throughout his career, from junior hockey to the NHL playoffs.

NHL Highlights

Newhook’s most significant career victory came in 2022 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. He contributed four assists in 12 playoff games during the championship run, including games throughout the Western Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final. In the 2025-26 playoffs, Newhook emerged as a clutch performer for Montreal, scoring two series-clinching goals including an overtime Game 7 winner against Tampa Bay and another Game 7 overtime winner against Buffalo. His consecutive multi-goal postseason performances marked the first by a Canadiens player since 1997.

Junior and College Highlights

At the junior level, Newhook won the Vern Dye Memorial Award as BCHL MVP in 2019 and was named CJHL MVP the same year. At Boston College, he captured the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s top freshman and was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Internationally, he helped Canada capture a silver medal at the 2021 World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

Alexander Newhook Family

Family Background

Newhook was born to parents Paula and Shawn Newhook in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. As a child, he idolized fellow Newfoundlander and Stanley Cup champion Daniel Cleary, describing him as a guy I dreamed of being like when I grew up. His childhood hero and eventual championship win with Colorado created a full-circle moment for the young centre.

Personal Life

Newhook’s younger sister, Abby, is also a professional hockey player. She signed with the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for the 2025-26 season. Abby previously played at Tabor Academy and for the Bay State Breakers before joining the Boston College Eagles, following the same collegiate path as her brother. In an NHL questionnaire, Newhook humorously responded to the prompt about something not many people know with: I have a sister who is better than me at hockey.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025-26 season began with Newhook showing strong early form, collecting 12 points through 17 games. However, his season faced a significant setback when he suffered a fractured ankle after hitting the boards feet-first during a November 13 game against the Dallas Stars. Following surgery, he was projected to miss four months of action. He made his return on February 26, 2026, recording an assist in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders.

Despite the injury interruption, Newhook finished the regular season with 13 goals and 12 assists in 42 games. The playoffs became his showcase moment, as he emerged as one of Montreal’s most clutch performers. His Game 7 heroics against Tampa Bay and Buffalo demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it matters most, with his series-clinching overtime goals helping the Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in years.