Forward of NHL draft, BCHL teammates Newhook, Campbell share particular bond

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Shut on and off the ice, Alex Newhook and Alexander Campbell are two of the highest prospects for the NHL draft. Collectively, they had been one of the vital dominant scoring duos in junior hockey, however now they’re wanting ahead to the long run.Alex Newhook|Invoice Wippert/NHLI by way of Getty ImagesBUFFALO – “Humble.”
That’s how Alex Newhook and Alexander Campbell described one another on the NHL Draft mix in Buffalo. And it’s clear why: they appeared extra interested by praising the opposite than addressing their very own successes. Newhook and Campbell created one of the vital deadly duos in junior hockey with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies, combining for 169 factors in a league sometimes dominated by 20-year-old gamers who’re a pair years their senior.
Newhook, dedicated to Boston Faculty for 2019-20, is projected to problem for a top-10 spot within the NHL draft. It’s unusual to see Jr. A gamers go so early, however it has occurred. Among the many extra notable examples: in 2016, three BCHLers – Tyson Jost, Dante Fabbro and Dennis Cholowski – had been picked within the first spherical. In 2007, Kyle Turris went to the Arizona Coyotes, then referred to as the Phoenix Coyotes, at No. three.
Newhook and Campbell shared lots of the identical experiences this yr. They represented Canada West on the World Junior A Problem and performed collectively on the CJHL prime prospects sport. In back-to-back campaigns, Newhook and Campbell, respectively, have led BCHL rookies in assists, with Campbell holding a one-point edge with 45 this yr. However exterior of a lone assembly in Quebec final summer time, the pair didn’t know one another previous to becoming a member of forces in Victoria. On the time, Newhook was nonetheless not sure of whether or not he’d return to the Grizzlies.
“We had a very good yr collectively, and I feel the chemistry all began off the ice, too (with linemate Riley Hughes),” Campbell stated. “All of us went to high school collectively, so we turned actually shut that approach and I feel that translated on the ice.”
Campbell, the 43rd-ranked prospect in North America by NHL Central Scouting, has nothing however reward for his linemate and good friend.
“He’s so right down to earth,” Campbell stated. “Such a humble man, treats everybody the identical, such a respectful man. Most prime prospects have somewhat conceitedness, stuff like that, however that’s undoubtedly not Alex.”
And Newhook? It’s clear he thinks fondly of his time taking part in with Campbell.
“He’s quiet, he sticks his plan. He is aware of what he has to do, and he works very onerous at that,” Newhook stated with a smile. “He’s one of many nicest children I’ve ever met and I feel he has that impact on everybody. Being with one another on the highway and taking part in with one another was fairly cool. He’s a fantastic good friend of mine.”
The Grizzlies completed first within the Island Division and scored a league-high 231 objectives, however fell within the league semifinal. Whereas scouts had been primarily fixated on Newhook in Victoria, the workforce isn’t brief on expertise. Hughes, a seventh-round choose of the New York Rangers in 2018 (216th total), and defenseman Carter Berger, a first-rate candidate to be drafted as an overager, had been additionally among the many workforce’s premier gamers. Newhook noticed the highlight as a chance for the workforce’s darkish horses to shine in entrance of an necessary viewing viewers. “I feel we had lots of consideration round some prospects this yr, which was lots of enjoyable to be round,” he stated.
Though the pair are set to go their separate methods, they’re excited in regards to the potential of getting drafted collectively this summer time.
“It’s at all times one thing to consider once you play with a man for many of the yr, the likelihood to be on the identical workforce once more sooner or later,” Newhook stated. “It’s one thing that’s fairly cool, however you understand, something can occur.”
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Tags: BCHL, nhl draft, prospectsConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.