Alex Newhook Bio
Alexander Newhook is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays the centre position for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 28, 2001, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Newhook skates left and stands 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall while weighing 200 lb (91 kg). He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL entry draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022. That championship made him the third player from Newfoundland and Labrador to lift the Stanley Cup, following Daniel Cleary in 2008 and Michael Ryder in 2011.
Newhook has been active in professional hockey since 2021, beginning his NHL journey with the Colorado Avalanche before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2023. He later signed a four-year contract extension worth 11.6 million US dollars with the Canadiens, keeping him under contract through 2027.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Newhook was born on January 28, 2001, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, to parents Paula Newhook and Shawn Newhook. He began skating at the age of four and grew up immersed in the hockey culture of his home province. As a child, Newhook idolized fellow Newfoundlander Daniel Cleary, the Stanley Cup champion he would later join in the record books. He later described Cleary as a player he dreamt of being like when he grew up.
As a youth, Newhook left his native Newfoundland to attend St. Andrew’s College, a boarding school located in Aurora, Ontario. During his time at the school, he also played the trombone and won a national band competition in his tenth-grade year. After his time at St. Andrew’s, he joined the York Simcoe Express of the Eastern AAA Hockey League, where he served as team captain. In 2017, he was recognized as the U16 AAA Player of the Year across the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
Path to Hockey
Newhook joined the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League for the 2017–18 season, finishing second in team scoring with 66 points in 45 games. He added nine points through 12 playoff games and was named team captain thereafter. Early in the 2018–19 season, he signed his Letter of Intent to join Boston College of the NCAA beginning in the 2019–20 season.
In his final BCHL year, Newhook led all league skaters in scoring and earned the Vern Dye Memorial Award as the league’s most valuable player. He was also recognized as the most valuable player across the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Following the season, the Colorado Avalanche selected him 16th overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft, launching his path toward the professional ranks.
Alex Newhook Career
Early Career (2021)
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 Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, where he collected five goals and nine points through eight games. Newhook was called up to the Avalanche’s taxi squad on May 2, 2021, and made his NHL debut three days later in a 3–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Appearing in six games with the Avalanche during the 2020–21 season, Newhook scored his first NHL goal during game three of the team’s opening round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on May 21. He skated in eight playoff games before Colorado was eliminated in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights, but the experience laid the foundation for his breakthrough the following year.
Avalanche Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Securing an opening night roster spot ahead of the 2021–22 season, Newhook was briefly reassigned to the Eagles by head coach Jared Bednar after one game. Returning to the NHL ranks after ten games, he registered 33 points over the remainder of the regular season. After sporadic use in the first and second round series against the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues, Newhook played the entirety of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers and the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He contributed four assists in 12 playoff games, helping Colorado capture the Stanley Cup and cementing his name in Newfoundland hockey history.
The 2022–23 season was poised at the outset to be a significant opportunity for Newhook after the departure of longtime second-line centre Nazem Kadri, who encouraged him to seize the role. Difficulties followed, and he was frequently deployed as a winger by Bednar. On December 5, 2022, he skated in his 100th career NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring a goal, and finished the regular season with 14 goals and 16 assists in 82 games. The Avalanche were upset in the first round of the 2023 playoffs by the Seattle Kraken, with Newhook recording only one assist in seven games.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2023–Present)
As an impending free agent following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Newhook was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on June 27, 2023, in exchange for first and second round picks 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 US dollars contract extension with Montreal.
Newhook scored two goals in his Canadiens debut on October 11, 2023, the team’s season opener. After an early injury to linemate Kirby Dach forced a return to centre, he was later moved back to the wing following Christian Dvorak’s return. He registered seven goals and six assists before sustaining a high ankle sprain on November 30 against the Florida Panthers, missing 27 games before returning on February 10, 2024. On March 19, he played his 200th career NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers, and on April 16, he recorded his 100th career NHL point against the Detroit Red Wings.
In the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Newhook collected 12 points through 17 games before fracturing his ankle on November 13 against the Dallas Stars. Following surgery, he missed four months before returning on February 26. He finished the regular season with 13 goals and 12 assists in 42 games, then scored the series-winning goal in game seven of the Canadiens’ first round playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending a five-year playoff series drought. Consecutive multi-goal games against the Buffalo Sabres in Games 2 and 3 of the second round made him the first Canadiens player to achieve that postseason feat since Mark Recchi in 1997, and his overtime goal in game seven on May 18 sent Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final.
Driving Style and Strengths
Newhook is recognized for his versatility, having played both centre and wing at the NHL level. His skating ability and offensive instincts have allowed him to contribute as a playmaker, and he has shown the ability to deliver in high-pressure postseason moments, including multiple game seven performances.
Notable Events and Milestones
Newhook’s signature moments include his 2022 Stanley Cup championship with Colorado, his first NHL playoff goal against the St. Louis Blues, and his back-to-back game seven series-winning goals during the 2026 playoffs. He also became the first player in franchise history to score an overtime goal on the road in a game seven, cementing his place in Canadiens postseason lore.
Alex Newhook Career Wins
Alex Newhook’s professional career is highlighted by a Stanley Cup championship in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche and a memorable 2026 playoff run with the Montreal Canadiens that featured two game seven series-clinching goals.
NHL Highlights
Newhook won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, contributing four assists across 12 playoff games. With the Montreal Canadiens, he scored the series-winning goal in game seven of the 2026 first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the overtime series-clinching goal in game seven of the second round against the Buffalo Sabres.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his development, Newhook captured a bronze medal with Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge. He also helped Canada capture silver at the 2021 World Junior Championships and earned the Tim Taylor Award, Hockey East Rookie of the Year, and Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors during his freshman year at Boston College.
Alex Newhook Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Newhook was born to parents Paula Newhook and Shawn Newhook in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He began skating at age four and credits fellow Newfoundlander Daniel Cleary as a childhood idol who inspired his pursuit of a hockey career.
Personal Life
Newhook’s younger sister, Abby Newhook, is also a professional hockey player. She signed with the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League for the 2025–26 season after playing at Tabor Academy, for the Bay State Breakers, and at Boston College. In an NHL questionnaire, Newhook responded to the prompt about something not many people know with: have a sister who is better than me at hockey.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025–26 NHL season, Newhook played 42 games for the Montreal Canadiens, recording 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. His season was interrupted by a fractured ankle suffered on November 13 against the Dallas Stars, which required surgery and kept him out of the lineup for four months. Following his return on February 26, he contributed steadily down the stretch as the Canadiens secured a playoff berth.
In the 2026 playoffs, Newhook emerged as a clutch performer, scoring the game seven series-winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round and recording consecutive multi-goal games against the Buffalo Sabres in the second round. His overtime goal in game seven of the second round eliminated the Sabres and propelled Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Looking ahead, Newhook remains under contract with the Canadiens through 2027 and continues to develop as a top-six forward. His postseason heroics in 2026 suggest a rising trajectory, and his blend of speed, versatility, and big-game composure positions him as a key contributor for Montreal in the seasons to come.
