N.L. elated over Alex Newhook’s Stanley Cup win
Third NHL player from province to lift hockey’s most revered trophy
Alex Newhook lifted the hockey world’s most prized trophy Sunday night and says he can’t wait to bring the Stanley Cup home to Newfoundland and Labrador.
After his Colorado Avalanche beat defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the finals Sunday night to capture the cup, Newhook shared his thoughts in a blog post for the National Hockey League: “I can’t even explain what this feels like. I just can’t. World champions. It’s crazy to think about. I can’t even believe it. It’s amazing.
“I’ve already started thinking about the Stanley Cup coming to Newfoundland. I remember last time it was there. I was just a kid and it was amazing. Now, I get to do it. I’m already excited about it. We’ll get some fish and chips going and hit George Street. It’s going to be really exciting.”
The 21-year-old joins two others from this province who got to raise Lord Stanley’s Cup: Dan Cleary of Harbour Grace won the cup in 2008 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, and Michael Ryder of Bonavista won it as a member of the Boston Bruins in 2011.
Many people in the province stayed up late on Sunday to watch Newhook and the Avalanche capture the cup. The outpouring of congratulations from excited fans kept social media buzzing on Monday.
“Stanley Cup Winner from right here in Newfoundland and Labrador!” Tweeted Premier Andrew Furey.
“I’ve already started thinking about the Stanley Cup coming to Newfoundland. I remember last time it was there. I was just a kid and it was amazing. Now, I get to do it. I’m already excited about it. We’ll get some fish and chips going and hit George Street. It’s going to be really exciting.”
Alex Newhook From an NHL blog post
“What an accomplishment — Alex Newhook is a Stanley Cup champion. We can’t wait to welcome you home to celebrate. Congratulations to you, your team, and your entire family. Well done! “
No stranger to big accomplishments, Team Gushue tweeted: “Congratulations Alex, Abby, Shawn and Paula Newhook on becoming Stanley Cup Champions! Hard work pays off and dreams do come true. Enjoy every minute of the celebrations!”
Alex’s former team, the Boston College Eagles tweeted: “STANLEY CUP CHAMPION !!!! Newy becomes the 13th different Eagle to hoist the Cup as the @ Avalanche defeated two-time defending champion Tampa Bay in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.”
While parents Shawn and Paula Newhook were not able to be at the game Sunday night, Alex’s sister Abby — a star hockey player in her own right — was at the game.
Abby posted a photo of her jumping into Alex’s arms on the ice during the after-game celebrations.
Alex Newhook was selected 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft. He was the first from the province to be chosen in the first round of the NHL draft since Daniel Cleary went No. 13 to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1997.
Newhook left Boston College in March 2021 after signing a three-year entry-level contract. Originally assigned to Colorado’s farm team, a strong AHL performance allowed Newhook to be called up to the NHL. And just over 13 months after his first NHL game he won the Stanley Cup.
“I’m so proud to be from Newfoundland, and the people there — this is for them,” Newhook told Sportsnet minutes after lifting the Cup. “I honestly can’t describe it, it’s crazy. It won’t settle in for a while, and until I was holding it, it didn’t seem real.”
Colorado, which also won the title in 1996 and 2001, denied Tampa Bay’s bid of completing a three-peat as Stanley Cup champion.