St. John's hockey star Alex Newhook named top junior A player in Canada

Alex Newhook has another accolade to throw on his resumé ahead of next month's National Hockey League entry draft.

The 18-year-old St. John's native has been named the Canadian Junior Hockey League's most valuable player.

The CJHL comprises 10 junior A leagues with 132 teams and more than 2,000 players across the country — and Newhook is the best of them all.

Newhook finished this season with 38 goals and 64 assists for 102 points for the Victoria Grizzlies. It was the first time anybody had topped 100 points in the British Columbian league in three years.

Newhook is ranked 13th among all North American skaters by the National Hockey League's Central Scouting heading into next month's rookie draft.

Most projections have him going between the ninth and 20th pick, which puts him in the range of four Canadian teams — Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.

It's rare for a player from the country's junior A leagues to be ranked as high as Newhook. Like many other players, he opted to go that route because it makes him eligible to play in the American college ranks.

Newhook is committed to playing for Boston College of the NCAA's top division next season. His sister, Abby, will also play for Boston College starting in 2021.

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