Avs take Newhook with 16th pick

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The Colorado Avalanche selected center Alex Newhook with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Newhook, 18, played the last two seasons with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. He won league MVP this year. Newhook is committed to Boston College, where he will enroll this fall.

Newhook scored 102 points in 53 games last season, the most in the league, making him the youngest BCHL point leader in over 20 years. He also scored 10 points in six games for Team Canada in the World Juniors. As a 16-year-old, Newhook recorded 66 points in 45 games for Victoria. He won Rookie of the Year for his performance.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Newhook’s speed poses a threat matched by few other players. He has a high ceiling as a forward mostly due to his blinding speed, high-end skill and hockey sense. The biggest question mark is how he will adjust to a higher level of competition than he faced in the BCHL. Newhook also has a tendency to fall asleep defensively, but his offensive production and potential have easily counteracted this flaw in the past.

The Avalanche have six picks left in the draft, including one in the second round and two in the third.

For more on Alex Newhook, check out his BSN Draft Profile.