Newhook, Grizzlies on Cloud 9
Victoria Grizzlies forward Alex Newhook again showed why he is developing into something special and a potential firstrounder for the 2019 NHL draft. The swift and astute rookie from St. John’s, N.L., reads the ice so well and had a goal and two assists Tuesday at The Q Centre to lead the Grizzlies to a 6-3 BCHL victory over the Nanaimo Clippers.
That pushed Newhook’s points total to 50, tied with former Victoria Royals WHL forward Ty Westgard of Surrey, just one behind BCHL-leading Jasper Weatherby of Wenatchee. Newhook turns 17 on Jan. 28. Westgard and Weatherby are both 20.
“I didn’t expect it [to be gunning for the league scoring title in his rookie season],” said Newhook, who has 25 points in his last 10 games, and is committed to Boston College of the NCAA.
“We’re just looking to keep our [now nine-game undefeated] streak going.”
Cam Thompson scored twice for Victoria (22-14-5), and Ryan Nolan, Nico Somerville and Justin Michaelian once each. Nanaimo is 22-15-5. It was new Clippers coach Darren Naylor’s first game in the capital since he played in the WHL for the Victoria Cougars in the late 1980s.
The Clippers feature a trio of former WHLERS: Ex-Royals defenceman Jordan Wharrie, goaltender Taz Burman and forward Cal Babych, who scored the winner in the WHL- and CHL-record fifth overtime period last spring in which Everett eliminated the Royals.