Grizzlies rookies seek U-17 glory
It’s described as the first step in Hockey Canada’s program of excellence, and a pair of Victoria Grizzlies are about to give it their best shot.
Defenceman Jacson Alexander and forward Alex Newhook will represent Team Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which begins Sunday in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. The two departed Monday evening and took part in their first two practices on Tuesday.
Team Canada Black is situated in a pool with Canada White, the U.S. and Czech Republic. Russia, Sweden, Finland and Canada Red form the other division of the tournament, which showcases the future stars of the game.
The U-17 tournament began in 1986 and has featured 18 first overall National Hockey League picks, including: Pierre Turgeon, Mats Sundin, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Ilya Kovalchuk, Rick Nash, Marc-André Fleury, Alexander Ovechkin, Eric Johnson, Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. Big names, to be sure. Canada Black opens play against White on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. before meeting the Czech Republic on Monday at 7 p.m. and wrapping up pool play Tuesday at 7 p.m. versus the U.S., all at the Encana Centre in Dawson Creek. Playoffs then begin on Thursday.
The Grizzlies rookies have been joined on Team Black by Victoria Royals draft pick Luke Reid, who plays defence for the Penticton Vees and is expected to take the college route.
“It’s going to be a great experience, a chance to go in and showcase yourself and the team,” said Alexander, of Victoria, who has two goals in 15 games with the Grizzlies. “It’s very team focused, which is great, and you get to see where you are against guys your age from across the world.
“I’m just going to go in there and work as hard as I can, try and make a difference in games and come out and win. That would be really cool. It would be pretty sweet to win the worlds.”
He and Newhook both expected to be nervous, but both also expected to settle in after the first practices.
“I think I’m excited more than anything,” Newhook said. “We’ve got a great group of guys, a real strong team. So I’m excited to see what we can do in this tournament and, hopefully, come out on top.
“It’s a really big tournament, something I’m excited for and I think everyone is. It’s an opportunity that not everyone gets to do, so we’re going to try and make the most of it and have fun with it, and go as far as we can.”
Both were looking forward to the matchup against the U.S., a rivalry that has developed over the years and, of course, there’s always the possibility of a Canada-Russia matchup.
“I try not to think about [the schedule],” Newhook said. “I’m just going to approach every game the same. There’s a lot of hype around the U.S. game. I’m excited to be a part of that one, too. But really, you get to see who the top guys are from each country and see where you line up with those guys.
“I think everyone is focused on winning. It’s a team-first mindset. Obviously, it’s a showcase to show what you can do. But it won’t work unless you don’t put the team first, that’s the big focus,” he added.
Newhook has shown his capabilities, playing as a 16-year-old versus 20-year-olds in the B.C. Hockey League. In 19 games, he has six goals and 15 assists to lead Victoria in points. “I’m pretty happy with the way it’s going so far, I think. It’s a big jump playing against older guys and bigger guys. The speed and size is so much different than midget. I think I’m getting used to it and finding my game,” the St. John’s, N.L., native said of his start in Victoria.
“I just want to be a guy that can produce whenever the opportunity is there and try and work my hardest. Just help our team do whatever it takes,” Newhook added of the U-17 challenge.
Both have worked their hardest to get to this point and now will be under the spotlight in this international event.