2023-06-27 21:28:45
The Montreal Canadiens have announced the acquisition of the rights of forward Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche in return for Montreal’s 31st (obtained from Florida) and 37th overall pick in 2023 and defender Gianni Fairbrother.
The 22-year-old Newhook had 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 82 games with the Avalanche in 2022-23 before collecting one assist in seven playoff games.
Newhook joins general manager Kent Hughes’ rebuilding project. The forward, who is still without a contract for the next season, hasn’t enjoyed the success that was expected when he arrived in the NHL following dominating in the college ranks with Boston College.
“For us, Alex brings several things. The versatility, the speed, the character that reflects what we want to build and the experience of having already won a Stanley Cup,” said Hughes during a press briefing offered on the sidelines of the draft which will be held Wednesday night in Nashville.
Since the start of his career, the native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, has scored 27 goals and 39 assists in 159 games with the Avalanche, who selected him in the first round (16th overall) in 2019.
“If you look at his history, he’s from the same draft as Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach, and it’s probably going to be one of the best drafts in NHL history,” Hughes said.
Mainly used on a 3rd line in Colorado within one of the best teams in the NHL, Newhook might get better opportunities to showcase himself within the team led by Martin St-Louis.
Newhook can play left wing and center, but head coach Martin St-Louis wouldn’t speculate on which position will best serve him in Montreal.
“At center or on the wing, he is able to play on the power play and on the power penalty,” St-Louis said of his new forward.
The 5’10” and 190 lb player notably helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 with four assists in 12 playoff games.
Without wanting to comment on the Pierre-Luc Dubois file, Hughes admitted that the acquisition of Newhook would not have been possible if the Canadiens had continued to pursue the Jets forward in the trade market.
Involved in the transaction, Gianni Fairbrother was drafted 77th in the 2019 draft by the Canadians. Last year with the Laval Rocket, the 22-year-old defenseman scored one goal and added six assists in 25 games.
The Avalanche and the Canadiens will meet for the first time in 2023-24, on January 15 in Montreal.
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