BROSSARD, Que. — It’s the second-to-last shift of Alex Newhook’s night, but he’s playing it like it’s his first.
Newhook’s energy is palpable as he takes a drop pass from Ivan Demidov, gains the offensive blue line, and sets up a premium scoring chance for Demidov in the slot in overtime. When Demidov collects his own rebound and resets, Newhook loops around to the point, gets a pass from Demidov, and attacks Sean Couturier and Jamie Drysdale to give himself a chance to score. And it’s at the very end of his shift that he makes his best play, pinning Drysdale behind the Philadelphia Flyers net and out-working him to get the puck back and send it back to safety to enable a Montreal Canadiens line change.
It’s about the details, and even this late in the game, on his 18th shift, Newhook is on top of them.
It’s how the 24-year-old has been since the start of the season, fulfilling the promise he held as a player drafted 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019.
“He was drafted because of his skating and his offensive ability,” said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis earlier this week. “But he understood his growth as a player wouldn’t depend on his ability to skate faster or shoot harder; it would depend on him improving his intentions to play the game. The game often requires you to play defence; the game is mostly played without the puck. His intentions on the ice have improved so much that he’s become a much more complete player. And when you’re more complete, the game generally compensates you.”
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So far, it’s given Newhook five goals and nine points through 13 contests.
But he’s contributed much more to the Canadiens’ 9-3-1 record.
At five-on-five, Newhook has been the safety valve for a line with two rookies — Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. He’s been a play driver mostly from the wing, but also from the centre position. And on the penalty kill, he’s proven to be effective, despite not having played in the role since his debut in Colorado.
Before the start of the season, St. Louis approached the Newfoundland native about trading in a lifetime role on the power play, and Newhook offered no resistance.
“It’s not every player who would be super happy with having something taken away from them,” said St. Louis, “but I tip my hat to him.”
“I know he can play power play,” the coach added. “Right now, he’s proving to me he can kill penalties and do a good job of it.”
It’s been a work in progress — for both Newhook and the Canadiens, who currently rank 22nd in the NHL on the penalty kill.
But Newhook’s work as a player, in general, has brought him to another level.
“He’s been great,” said Cole Caufield after Wednesday’s practice.
Newhook said he’s been what he believes he should be — confident and consistent.
“My confidence is pretty high,” he said. “I’ve built things to a point where I can be a difference-maker, and I’m trying to be one every night. I feel like there’s been points in games where I feel I can control the play pretty well and use my speed to really affect the game.”
St. Louis said Newhook’s ability to do it defensively has not only served him well but also served as an example for his teammates.
You can see the player is process-driven and detail-oriented, and that’s what the coach wants from all his players, especially after the process was flawed and the details were lacking in the loss to Philadelphia.
Newhook was as fallible on a couple of occasions at the start of Tuesday’s game, but he finished it appearing like the same player who’s been largely effective through the other 12 games.
What Newhook has shown is that he can be used in any situation, increasing his value to the team.
It is the objective he entered the season with, as he plays out his second-to-last year on a contract that pays him $2.9 million per.
He’ll come out of that deal as a restricted free agent who’s one year away from unrestricted free agency and in possession of arbitration rights, but he wants nothing more than to prove he’s an integral piece of the puzzle for the Canadiens.
“I played on a Stanley Cup-winning team (in Colorado), but I think this team is very special to be a part of,” Newhook said. “I think being here when things weren’t going as well, but also being here as the team was flashing its potential, it really makes you excited to be a part of that build. It means a lot to have been here through these stages. And now, to have an increased role and be used in all situations, I’m taking a lot of pride in being here and being a part of this group, and hopefully being a part of our upcoming success.
“What I’m trying to do here is prove that I can be a part of this core. I want to be here for a long time, and I think proving I can play on both sides of the puck and proving I can be a guy that can be relied upon is most important for me. I’m going to continue to keep trying to prove it until the time comes.”
So far, Newhook is succeeding.
The energy, versatility, and intention he’s bringing are elevating his status with the Canadiens. And the idea he can maintain that is being proven with each passing shift.
