Alex Newhook wins Tim Taylor Award as NCAA Rookie of the Year

Alex Newhook added yet another accolade to his ever-growing collection on Friday, being named the Tim Taylor Award recipient as the most outstanding freshman in Division-I college hockey.

The Boston College freshman and first-round selection by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft (16th overall) is coming off an incredible rookie season in which he led all NCAA freshman with 19 goals. In addition to that, he also led all college freshman in both short-handed goals (3) and game-winning goals (4).

Newhook finished the season with 19 goals and 42 points in 34 games. His 42 points was second only to Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Abruzzese (44 points, Harvard) among first-year college hockey players. Newhook also ranked ninth nationally in points and 12th in points per game. His impressive plus-28 was also third in the NCAA.

Earlier in the season, the Avs prospect became just the 12th player (age 19 or younger) in the last decade to put up 40 points.

Newhook is now in some elite company by winning the award, joining the likes of some the NHL’s best, a list that includes Jack Eichel (Boston University, 2014-15 winner), Clayton Keller (Boston University, 2016-17) and Kyle Connor (Michigan, 2015-16). Newhook becomes the second player in the Colorado Avalanche system to win the award, joining Colorado Eagles forward T.J. Tynan, who also claimed the award while at Notre Dame during the 2010-11 season.

Although Newhook appears primed and ready to step into a role in the NHL, he has already decided he’ll return to Boston College for his sophomore season. It’s a fair bet that he’ll challenge for a top-six role with the Colorado Avalanche come the 2021-22 season, however. Until then, let’s see what other hardware Newhook collects at BC next year.