Hockey enthusiasts in Alex Newhook’s native province are celebrating in local bars, putting politics aside to rally around their hometown hero who played a pivotal role in securing the Montreal Canadiens a spot in the Eastern Conference final.
At the Newfoundland Embassy, a popular pub located in a vibrant red building in St. John’s, patrons eagerly tuned into Game 7 between the Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, with the live band pausing between songs to catch the action on the screen. Niall Hickey, co-owner of the Embassy, noted the overwhelming support for Newhook, with everyone captivated by the excitement of the moment.
Newhook, a St. John’s native, scored the game-winning goal in overtime during the 3-2 victory over the Sabres, marking his second series-clinching goal in a Game 7 during the 2026 playoffs. The forward’s stellar performance has ignited fervor among Montreal fans in Newfoundland and Labrador, with even some Toronto Maple Leafs supporters secretly cheering on the local talent.
Having grown up in St. John’s, Newhook expressed his pride in representing his home province in the NHL playoffs during a post-game interview. The 25-year-old center’s clutch goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a previous Game 7 further solidified his reputation as a game-changer, placing him among a select group of NHL players with multiple career game-winning goals in such high-stakes matchups.
As anticipation builds for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes, establishments like the Duke of Duckworth and the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature are bracing for enthusiastic crowds eager to support the Canadiens and their standout player, Alex Newhook. From urban pubs to rural homesteads, the province’s residents are proudly flying Canadiens flags and celebrating the success of their local hero on the ice.