For the third summer running, St. John’s native and Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook turned his hometown into a gathering place for the NHL — and for a cause. The third annual Alex Newhook & Friends Golf Classic was held on August 4, 2026, at the Bally Haly Country Club in St. John’s, capping a weekend that once again proved how deep the province’s appetite for elite hockey runs.
The tournament is only half of the draw. On the eve of the event, August 3, Newhook and his visiting teammates held a fan fest where hundreds of Newfoundlanders lined up for autographs and photographs, a scene that has become an annual rite in the capital. For young fans, the chance to stand a few feet from NHL players without leaving the island is rare, and the turnout reflected it.
The 2026 edition drew a strong Canadiens contingent. Joining Newhook were teammates Jayden Struble, goaltender Jakub Dobes, brothers Arber and Florian Xhekaj, and defenceman Kaiden Guhle, alongside Habs alumnus and Montreal legend Chris Nilan. Their presence gave the weekend genuine NHL wattage and underscored the loyalty Newhook has built among his peers, several of whom have now made the trip east more than once.
The event’s purpose is philanthropic. Proceeds are directed to four Newfoundland and Labrador organizations: the Cancer Care Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Iris Kirby House, the REAL Program in St. John’s, and KidSport, which helps cover registration and equipment costs so children can play organized sport regardless of family income. The mix — cancer care, support for women and children fleeing violence, youth development, and grassroots athletics — reflects a deliberately broad footprint across community need.
The classic has grown quickly. The second annual event in 2025 raised more than $120,000 (reported at $120,015), a figure that speaks to the tournament’s momentum in just its early years. A verified total for the 2026 edition had not been published at the time of writing, but the trajectory and the size of the visiting roster suggest another strong result.
For Newhook, the weekend is a homecoming as much as a fundraiser. Drafted 16th overall by Colorado in 2019 and a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche in 2022 before his trade to Montreal, he remains one of the most prominent athletes the province has produced. Bringing his teammates back to Bally Haly each August lets him channel that profile into tangible local benefit — and gives a new generation of Newfoundland kids a reason to believe the NHL is not as far away as the map suggests.
Sources: NTV · The Hockey News · VOCM · CBC News (fan fest)
