KELOWNA, BC - MARCH 02: Reece Newkirk #12 sits on the boards after fist bumping Jake Gricius #14 of the Portland Winterhawks to celebrate a goal against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 2, 2019 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
Yesterday, the New York Islanders announced that they have signed prospect Reece Newkirk to a three-year entry-level contract. The fifth-round pick in 2019 has been playing his junior hockey out west for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
Newkirk has been with the Winterhawks since 2017-18. That’s the year Kieffer Bellows recorded 74 points (and 41 goals) in 56 games.