Merrimack captain Max Newton isn’t the biggest or fastest player on his team. He doesn’t have the hardest shot. But there’s no question he’s the type of center that coaches love.
“He doesn’t have a single explosive physical trait,’’ says Warrior coach Scott Borek. “He’s just got a really high IQ, plays very well without the puck as well as with the puck. There’s not a single thing that he does that distinguishes him physically, but as a guy you want on the rink in every situation, he’s the perfect player.’’
Newton’s hockey journey has taken him all over the map: From British Columbia to Alaska and now to North Andover.
Newton, who is 5-10, 185 pounds, played three seasons at Alaska Fairbanks and was looking forward to being captain in his senior year when the school opted out of the 2020-21 season in December 2020.
Merrimack was ready. “When it became evident that Alaska Fairbanks was not going to play, (assistant coaches Josh Ciocco and Dan Jewell) got to know the rosters of the teams that weren’t playing,’’ said Borek.
“When Max went into the (transfer) portal, we were very quick. It was good work by Josh and Dan to know who was available, to have enough information to know what kids were going to do what.’’
Newton, who was named a Hobey Baker Award nominee on Wednesday, said that while he talked to other schools, Merrimack “was pretty active about trying to get me here. They were really good about accommodating me. It just seemed like the right fit and it worked out well.’’
He enrolled last January and scored three goals and four assists in nine games down the stretch.
This season Newton leads the Warriors with 9-11-20 in 19 games. Only four players in Hockey East have more points.
Newton is a master of faceoffs. Among players that have taken more than 200 draws, he leads Hockey East with a win percentage of 65.5.
“I never really noticed (success at the dot) until I got into junior hockey. Since then, it’s something I’ve taken pride in. I see it as one of those little things that is controllable. Mainly, it’s effort and practice and trying to figure out different techniques. Every centerman is going to be different with how they take faceoffs.
“I’ve tried to figure out a way to be dominant with that and give my team an opportunity to possess the puck right off the draw, which is a big part of the game. A lot of it is just practice and figuring out what works best for me as an individual,’’ Newton said.
The young talent in Hockey East compared to the WCHA (now the CCHA) is immediately noticeable, he said.
“For the most part, hockey is hockey. The two leagues are very skilled leagues. In Hockey East, there’s obviously the younger draft picks that come through those big-time schools, so you know every night that you’re going to be going against them. They have the talent and the skill to really do something special. That’s something that’s somewhat unique to Hockey East,’’ said Newton, a native of Vancouver.
He enjoyed his time in Alaska, where plane rides to away games are the main mode of travel. Flying from Fairbanks to Seattle, then on to Minneapolis or Detroit was the typical route for the Nanooks.
Obviously, it’s quite different in Hockey East, where every opponent is a bus ride away.
“In my three years (in Fairbanks), I met some of my best friends. I have nothing but good things to say about it. The biggest issue they have is the travel. There are some cool aspects of it, too. You’re getting to fly to all your games and you’re seeing different parts of the country. But it does take a lot out of you.
“The weather is something that maybe people think is a bigger challenge than it really is. It’s not Hawaii, but you find ways to deal with it,’’ he said.
Merrimack is 8-10-1 and in eighth place – in between Boston University and New Hampshire -- as the Hockey East race heads for the home stretch. They’ve been a tough opponent most nights, especially at home.
But they are 0-4 against UMass, all one-goal games. Understandably, that’s a source of frustration.
Back in October, the Warriors gave up the winning goal with four seconds left on a Friday night, then lost in overtime the next night. In early December they gave up a late goal and lost in OT. In a non-league game last week, Merrimack gave up two goals in the third period and lost by a goal.
“Those were games early on in the season where we were matching up pretty well with the defending national champion and a top team in the league the last couple of years,’’ he said.
“The first couple of times it’s nice to know you’re right in there, but then you’ve got to find a way to take that next step. Losing four times in a row to a team has got to be unacceptable if you want to move this program along and take that step to where we want to be this year.’’
At 24, Newton has a considerable edge in age and experience on some teammates, including his linemates in Merrimack’s last game, Matty Copponi, 18, and Alex Jefferies, 20.
“I try to help them out whenever I can and whenever there’s an opportunity. They’re obviously super young, super talented guys that are going to be very successful in their careers. Part of that is learning, on and off the ice. It’s not something I solely try to do, but there are times when you talk to them, help them out with stuff. Or they come to you with questions. Any time you have an opportunity to help guys on your team, you take that,’’ he said.
The ability and willingness to lead are what makes Newton captain material.
“He’s a good hockey player, but he’s more than that. He’s a leader. He’s a really solid individual in the locker room, on the campus, in every situation. We got a gem in more ways than just on the rink,’’ said Borek.
After this season, Newton is a strong candidate to land an AHL/ECHL contract.
“I want to move on to play some professional hockey after this year and see where that takes me. I still love playing the game and competing,’’ he said.
Free-agent watch
Matthew Kopperud, Arizona State
A sophomore, Kopperud scored a goal and two helpers in the Sun Devils’ rout at Northeastern on Tuesday night. He is tied for third in the country with 13-16-29 in 24 games.
He attended Boston’s development camp last summer. His skating will scare off some teams, but he’s a good bet for an AHL deal down the road.
Colton Huard, New Hampshire
A freshman defenseman, Huard had himself a night in a win over Clarkson Saturday night with a goal and three assists.
He has good bloodlines – his father, Bill was a tough-as-nails forward for the Providence Bruins and went on to play for six NHL teams. Colton’s a project, but worth keeping an eye on.
Ryan Siedem, Harvard
Siedem, a Harvard junior, is 6-foot-2 and he shoots right. Those two factors might be enough to earn him an ECHL/AHL deal. He has a goal and five points in 12 games.
