Feature Photo: IG / @abbynewhook
Just over six years ago, Abby Newhook sat beside her brother, Alex, at the 2019 NHL Draft, wondering what a similar moment might be like for herself.
She no longer has to wonder.
Abby, then 16, remembers exactly what she was thinking while sitting alongside the entire Newhook family when Alex was selected 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
“When I was sitting in those stands, I kept thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we had this for women’s hockey?’ Being at Alex’s draft and seeing everything he went through and dreaming of something like that for the women’s side – the fact it became a reality is just amazing. It almost leaves you speechless.”
On June 24, Abby was drafted 34th overall by the Boston Fleet at the PWHL Draft.
It was a surreal moment for Abby, who became just the second player from Newfoundland and Labrador to be drafted into the PWHL, following Maggie Connors of the Toronto Sceptres.
“It was so awesome,” said the 22-year-old, who played four seasons with Boston College, captaining the team in her final two years. “My family was all there, my agents were there, nine of my friends – seven girls from Boston College and two girls from back home – were there, too.”
Alex, 24, now with the Montreal Canadiens, was one of the first to congratulate his sister when her name was called.
“The most memorable part of the draft for me was when Abby got drafted to Boston,” said the centreman, who raised the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. “It was such a special moment for her and our family.”
Abby, who was named the Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Year in 2021–22 and a finalist for the WCHA National Rookie of the Year, was thrilled to share her big day with her brother.
“I am so glad he was able to be there for me at my draft, to be able to experience that with him, and also having gone through that, he gave me so many great tips and pieces of advice, sitting beside me the whole time and reassuring me that everything was good.
“It’s a super-exciting event and they did an amazing job putting it on. You have no idea where you are going to end up. There were definitely some nerves, and it felt like 20 minutes between each pick, when it’s really own two minutes. But I was more excited than nervous.”
Not long after the draft, side-by-side ‘then and now’ photos of the Newhook siblings at their respective drafts made the rounds on social media.
“When I saw that photo, I thought, ‘That seems like forever ago,’” said Abby. “It’s wild.”
Looking back, Abby is proud of the path that led her to the PWHL – and is thrilled to be going from fan to player in the league.
“I have been lucky enough to play with girls in the league – Hannah Bilka, Cayla Barnes, Abbey Levy – and some other some Boston College alums like Megan Keller and Alex Carpenter, who I have been lucky enough to watch over the past few years.
“It’s not only great to have a league for young girls to aspire to play in, but also to see the league expand the number of teams because of its great fan base.”
It’s a dream come true – and one Abby still can’t fully believe.
“It was unbelievable. I still feel I haven’t totally processed it. But to wake up the next morning and realize it was real – that was the best feeling. It makes you want to start things right up now.”
For now, she’s taking time to rest before ramping up training ahead of the 2025–26 PWHL season.
Abby will also be back on home ice soon, joining her good friend and Toronto Sceptres forward Maggie Connors as a guest coach at Camp Connors, a girls’ hockey camp taking place at CBS Arena in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, from July 15-18.
“Maggie is having her first-ever hockey camp, so I’m going to be there helping out the young girls who are participating in it.”
Later in July, she’ll also attend the second annual Alex Newhook & Friends Golf Classic in St. John’s. Last year’s event raised more than $113,000 for the REAL Program, Iris Kirby House and the Cancer Care Foundation – all St. John’s based charities.
It will be another chance for the siblings to reflect on an unforgettable few months.
“Abby and I have a great relationship and have always been very close,” said Alex. “We played on the same team in Atom with the Avalon Celtics, where she played up with my age group. I remember that team and the tournaments we played in very well. It was cool to be able to play together and to have those memories.”
And while Abby was always game, she didn’t exactly get the best deal when it came to ball hockey.
“Aside from that, playing ball hockey together outside our house was always fun, although I’d usually throw Abby in net when me and my buddies would play. It made her tougher, so I guess she has me to thank for that.”
Friendly jabs aside, Alex’s pride in his sister is unmistakable.
“Abby has worked so hard to get here and I’ve been lucky to watch her grow into the person and player she’s become today.
“I’m happy she ended up in Boston – it seems like a great fit and she’s super excited.”
