Veteran Jasper Weatherby of the Wenatchee Wild is a strapping, six-foot-four forward from Lummi Island, Washington, who turns 20 next week and is committed to North Dakota of the NCAA.
Rookie Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies is a swift five-foot-11 forward from St. John鈥檚, N.L., who turns 17 in two weeks, and is off the hook and being touted as a potential first-round selection for the 2019 NHL draft.
Newhook is tied for second in sa国际传媒 Hockey League scoring with 53 points, three behind leader Weatherby, despite having played five fewer games. The NCAA Boston College-committed Newhook鈥檚 1.43 points-per-game average is tied for best in the league.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect it [to be in the hunt for the league scoring title in his rookie season],鈥� admitted Newhook.
But he is, as his development continues at a crisp clip.
鈥淸Newhook] is driven. He wants to be a factor, an impact player, every night,鈥� said Grizzlies coach and GM Craig Didmon.
鈥淗e has had a really good learning curve.鈥�
It has been propelled by the veteran Grizzlies players.
鈥淲e have developed good leadership habits and Alex is pushed by the older players,鈥� said Didmon.
It promises to be a compelling race down the stretch for the BCHL scoring crown. Weatherby and Newhook will meet head-to-head Friday in Wenatchee, Washington, when the Grizzlies begin a three-game road trip against the Wild before stops in Langley against the Rivermen on Saturday and in Chilliwack against the Chiefs on Sunday.
鈥淲enatchee (26-12-4) will be a huge test for us. They have a lot of offence and we鈥檙e excited for the challenge,鈥� said Didmon.
Meanwhile, Newhook scored a goal and added an assist as the Grizzlies prepared for the trip by extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games with a 6-2 victory over the Powell River Kings on Sunday at The Q Centre.
The Grizzlies were led by Justin Michaelian鈥檚 hat-trick. Marty Westhaver and captain Lucas Clark also scored for Victoria while Ethan Nother and Jamie Rome added two assists each. Mitchell Williams and Carter Turnbull replied for Powell River.
Kurtis Chapman made 33 saves in goal for the Grizzlies and Mitch Adamyk 43 for the Kings.
鈥淭he boys are working hard, and doing what they need to do, and it鈥檚 paying off for them,鈥� said Didmon, following practice on Monday.
The Grizzlies (24-14-5) moved three points ahead of Powell River atop the Island Division with the Kings (21-13-8) having a game in hand. The fading Nanaimo Clippers (22-17-5) have lost four straight, are four points adrift of Victoria and have played one more game than the Grizzlies.
