In fact, it took just 18 minutes and 28 seconds.
Newkirk, 19, scored the first goal of the campaign for the Portland Winterhawks with 1:32 remaining in the opening period, but the Winterhawks would go on to drop a 3-2 overtime decision to the Tri-City Americans.
The goal came off a two-on-one rush, with Newkirk taking the initial shot and then following up to jam home the rebound out of traffic.
All told, Newkirk — an assistant captain for the Winterhawks — had two shots, finished plus-one and won eight of the nine faceoffs he took while playing on a line with Simon Knak and Tyson Kozak.
Newkirk might have had a slight advantage over a good number of his teammates, former American Hockey League scoring leader Seth Jarvis excluded: he’s had a chance to play competitive hockey after suiting up in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League through the month of November.
Playing for the Melville Millionaires, Newkirk had four goals and 12 points in six games and was tied for the SJHL scoring lead when things were shut down due to the ongoing pandemic.
Newkirk was drafted in fifth round, 147th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry draft after putting up 23 goals and 59 points in his second full season in the WHL. He responded to that honour with 29 goals and 65 points in only 55 games in the 2019-20 campaign.
Like all teams in the WHL, the Winterhawks are playing a solely division-based schedule and are back on the ice Saturday against Seattle and Sunday in their home opener at ShowWare Centre in Kent, Wash. due to restrictions ongoing in Oregon.
