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The Newhook family is adding another star to the professional hockey ranks.
Abby Newhook of St. John’s was drafted 34th overall in the fifth round of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft by the Boston Fleet on Tuesday.
That makes her only the second player from Newfoundland and Labrador to be drafted into the PWHL, joining Maggie Connors who plays for the Toronto Sceptres.
“I’m feeling super excited. The past 24 hours has just been crazy, you know, something I’ve dreamed of my whole life and now it’s finally here,” Newhook told CBC News from Montreal on Wednesday.
“I think it will take a little bit of time to sink in.”
Newhook said she’s looking forward to a friendly rivalry with Connors, given that they are close friends and are eager to support one another.
Boston is a fitting destination for Newhook as she makes the leap to the pro level. She played her collegiate career at Boston College, scoring nine goals and 17 assists last season.
She said it’s an exciting opportunity to be able to stay.
“Boston is a place that’s become home for me,” Newhook said. “I love the support from back home, [and] from Boston. And I’m just super excited to get started there.”
She said making the jump from collegiate to professional hockey will be a challenge, but it’s something she’s ready to take on. She’s already preparing with local coaches, and has gotten advice from her brother — Alex Newhook of the Montreal Canadiens.
Their mother, Paula Newhook, said the family is overwhelmed to now have two professional players to cheer for.
“It’s pretty exciting, I got to say. You’d never really think when the kids were growing up and just playing minor hockey that both of their dreams would come true,” she said.
“It certainly shows that [with] hard work and effort, it is possible for their dreams to come true. So we’re ecstatic.”
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