Alex Newhook’s Golf Tournament
In a vibrant event marked by camaraderie and candid discussions, Alex Newhook hosted his golf tournament for the second consecutive year in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Among the attendees were notable figures from the hockey world, including his sister Abby Newhook, who was recently selected by the Boston Fleet in the PWHL draft. The gathering also featured Montreal Canadiens players Arber Xhekaj, Jakub Dobes, and Jayden Struble, along with former Canadiens Michael Pezzetta and Chris Nilan. David Amber took on the role of host, guiding an engaging Q&A session with the panelists.
Discussions on League Changes
During the discussion, players shared their opinions on potential rule changes within the league. Dobes, the Canadiens’ goaltender, expressed a wish for more goalie fights, lamenting that referees tend to intervene too quickly. However, he playfully avoided disclosing which goalie he might like to face. Xhekaj argued against the shootout, favoring continuous overtime to maintain the game’s flow, which he noted often gets disrupted by shootouts. Newhook voiced support for removing the delay-of-game penalty that results when a puck is thrown over the glass. Pezzetta added his perspective, calling for more consistent enforcement of high-sticking penalties, particularly in cases where blood is drawn, where a four-minute penalty currently applies.
Mic’d Up Players and Expansion Teams
The players were also prompted to consider who might benefit from being mic’d up during games. Newhook suggested Brad Marchand, known for his on-ice antics, while also noting that Cole Caufield’s vibrant personality would make for entertaining commentary. Xhekaj chimed in recommending Juraj Slafkovsky, humorously pointing out that Slafkovsky’s Slovakian outbursts would add an unpredictable flair.
When the topic of potential expansion teams arose, Dobes unexpectedly proposed London, England as a viable location. Nilan, ever the entertainer, expressed a reluctance to see Atlanta return and considered Houston a potential candidate instead. He also advocated for Quebec City, though humorously acknowledged the concerns of Canadiens ownership regarding filling the arena sustainably. Nilan reminisced about his own Stanley Cup win in Montreal, describing it as a uniquely special experience compared to winning elsewhere, using the example of a parade in a New Jersey parking lot to emphasize his point.
Memorable Moments and Future Anticipation
Reflecting on a memorable playoff game against the Washington Capitals, which marked Dobes’ first playoff appearance, he shared his initial nervousness that turned into excitement after securing a victory. Xhekaj recounted a humorous episode during that game, describing how Dobes was trash-talking opposing players, resulting in an intense confrontation when he had to pass through them after the period ended.
“It was madness,”
he noted, conveying the electric atmosphere of the Bell Centre during that playoff season.
As the Canadiens gear up for the upcoming season, anticipation builds to see if they can replicate their success and ignite similar enthusiasm in the arena once again.
