In Boston, a reminder of what Alex Newhook can become for the Avalanche

Coach Jerry York rapidly discovered to take cowl from Alex Newhook’s shenanigans. Then a freshman in York’s Boston Faculty program, Newhook at all times preferred to douse himself with water earlier than his hockey video games, however now the ritual was increasing.

Newhook gathered water bottles, carried them up and down the bench and splashed each one in every of his teammates to energise them – an audacious initiative for a freshman on a crew loaded with seniors.

“The primary couple of video games he did it, I’m like, ‘This child’s out of his thoughts,’” assistant coach Mike Ayers stated. “After which it acquired to the purpose the place everyone was in search of it. The managers are filling up water bottles as a result of they’re empty, and it’s 5 minutes into the sport.”

Oddly sufficient, it labored. Already an affect participant, Newhook’s custom made him equally efficient as a hype beast. “Some guys began to get in on it,” he stated. “Ended up changing into a crew factor, which is a bit humorous.”

York, BC’s celebrated head coach, beamed at Newhook’s enthusiasm whereas additionally dodging him. He typically left his pocket book on the bench, just for the contents of its pages to get smudged. It was within the splash zone. Not wanting his fits to undergo the identical destiny, York hid behind Ayers every time Newhook was inside vary.

He coached school hockey for 50 years, however he’ll at all times bear in mind Newhook’s “exuberance” separating him from most younger athletes.

That high quality may be tough to channel whereas struggling on the ice. Visiting the alma mater is a pleasant option to rediscover it. Newhook has been an integral thread within the story of the 2022-23 Colorado Avalanche up to now, seemingly in three elements: his tryout part at second-line heart, his interval of scrutiny from coach Jared Bednar for a scarcity of manufacturing after transferring to wing, and his current regular uptick – which has crucially coincided with Colorado’s harm swarm.

When the Avs returned residence from a four-game highway journey, Newhook was one in every of 5 on a regular basis forwards left on the roster.

“He’s a man I anticipate so much from proper now,” Bednar stated. “We’ve been working with him on his sport. … We’re in educate mode, proper? However he’s a man that’s been round getting taught for a pair years now, so I anticipate much less errors and extra worth in his sport. And I believe he’s exhibiting it. I believe we’re seeing a harmful participant on lots of nights.”

That wasn’t Bednar’s impression on the 14-game mark when Newhook was caught at three factors coming into a one-on-one, “solutions-based” assembly with the coach. What the Avs have been witnessing didn’t match what they consider Newhook may be – what influenced them to draft him No. 16 total in 2019.

For a reminder of what he may be, begin in Boston.

Newhook recorded 42 factors in his solely full season with this system, main his crew and all NCAA freshmen with 19 targets. He scored 4 game-winners. He was ninth nationally in factors per sport.

He made time to go to campus the day earlier than Colorado confronted the Bruins final weekend. “Lot of my mates are nonetheless seniors, so it’s good to see them,” Newhook stated. He watched their residence sport that night time. His sister, Abby, performs for the ladies’s crew. She performed Saturday afternoon then made it to Alex’s sport that night time.

York’s discovery of Newhook was unorthodox: He acquired a name from an outdated pal who owned a restaurant in Cape Cod. There was a household from Newfoundland, Canada, that visited the cape a number of summers and at all times acquired into hockey conversations with him on the restaurant. “Their son is meant to be very, excellent,” York remembers being advised.

“You get ideas on a regular basis from folks: ‘Watch this participant. Watch this participant,’” York stated. “And half the time you’re form of listening however not listening.”

However he adopted up on Newhook, making extra calls. Then he finally noticed the teenage heart play in Toronto. Newhook was at St. Andrew’s Faculty on the time, an Ontario boarding faculty. He lived as much as the hype. “Certain sufficient each Newhooks find yourself at BC,” York stated.

York is retired, however Ayers nonetheless coaches. He and Newhook used to hit the ice at 8 a.m. on Newhook’s request, earlier than courses began. They experimented with totally different angles the place Newhook may discover area to create for himself. “He wished suggestions on a regular basis,” Ayers stated. “Some children thrive off solely listening to optimistic stuff. He wished to listen to every thing.”

In order that assembly with Bednar? No sweat. Former coaches have skilled how Newhook embraces constructive criticism.

“There was no sulk in him in any respect,” York stated.

As for what at all times stood out most about his potential, each determine the distinct sights and sounds of Newhook’s skating.

“I simply take into consideration his little hop that he begins out with,” Ayers stated. “Each single stride he takes, he’s acquired that little hop to him.”

“Sturdy, highly effective skater,” York stated. “You may hear him skate while you’re circled.”

Ayers remembers a “Beanpot” rivalry sport towards Harvard when Crimson defenseman Jack Rathbone gave the puck away. Newhook took possession and skated into the offensive zone with Rathbone in pursuit.

The summer time after Newhook signed with the Avalanche, Ayers bumped into Newhook and Rathbone and introduced up the play. He remembers the response from Rathbone, a blueliner for the Canucks now: “After all the one man I turned it over to was Newhook. I can’t catch him.”

Breakaway short-handed objective.

That sport was additionally at TD Backyard in Boston. When Newhook performed there final Saturday, he was removed from one of the best skater on his crew. He’s surrounded by the world’s greatest now in Colorado. His new problem is discovering a option to make an affect even when he’s not the premier level producer.

“Take the factors out of it,” Bednar stated. “You’re seeing a productive participant from him.”

Two nights after the Boston sport, Newhook scored twice. He additionally stopped a puck together with his cheek. Now he’s taking part in high line with a festive vacation mix of pink, purple and black overlaying the left aspect of his face. When requested if he can really feel it in observe, he stated, “Oh, yeah,” with a smile.

Just about sums up what Ayers remembers from BC: Newhook can take a punch the identical method he takes criticism. “He at all times introduced a pleasure and enthusiasm to the rink.”