Grand Forks Border Bruins alum Max Newton (2013-15) is having a great first season in the DEL2 with the Krefeld Pinguine. The Vancouver native has 69 points in 49 games. He joined the German squad after making his European debut in Slovakia last season with HK Dukla Michalovce. Prior to that, he had a brief stint in the American Hockey League and played 80 games in the ECHL after completing a five-year career in the NCAA with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Merrimack College. Newton also spent time in the BCHL.
The KIJHL spoke with Newton, 27, to talk about his experience in Germany and time in the KIJHL.
KIJHL: What do you like about the season you are having with the Krefeld Pinguine?
MN: They’ve made me feel really comfortable here, which is huge when you’re in a new part of the world and a new league. The organization has treated me well and let me play my game. I was productive right from the start, playing with some good players early on, which helped jumpstart my season. A strong start always boosts your confidence, and I’ve been able to build on that.
KIJHL: What made you decide to pursue pro hockey overseas after playing a season in North America in the ECHL and the AHL?
MN: I’ve always wanted to play overseas—it’s a unique experience where you get to see different parts of the world. There are pros and cons to playing in both North America and Europe, but I saw this as a chance to develop my game and try a different style. I took the opportunity early, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
KIJHL: What is the talent level like in the DEL2 league?
MN: It’s a high-level league. The DEL2 puts a big focus on developing young players, with rules requiring a certain number of under-23 players in each game. You can see how much they value hockey through their development system. The games, especially against top teams, are fast-paced and intense—the kind of hockey you dream of playing when you’re growing up.
KIJHL: What has the experience been like for you in Germany, especially away from the rink?
MN: It’s been awesome. We’re close to big cities like Düsseldorf and even Amsterdam. My girlfriend and parents visited during the season, so we traveled around Germany and nearby countries. Getting to explore these places during breaks is a unique perk of playing here. I’ve been able to check off a lot of bucket-list experiences.
KIJHL: Was there a connection with somebody that helped you land an opportunity overseas?
MN: Mainly my agent. The first year I came over, I went to Slovakia without knowing what to expect or anyone on the team. But once you have a year in Europe, you understand how things work—how you’re treated, how to help your family get over. The first year was about figuring things out, but now it’s much smoother.
KIJHL: In the announcement of your contract extension, you stated it’s fun playing in Krefeld. What do you enjoy about playing there?
MN: We have the best fans in the league—diehard, passionate, and loyal. There’s more of a soccer fan focus where they have their chants going every game, drums, and flags. It’s one of the cooler aspects of playing hockey in Europe. They support us at home and on the road. Even around town, people recognize you, take pictures and are nothing but nice to me and my family. That fan support was a big part of my decision to stay.
KIJHL: You spent two seasons in the KIJHL, what would your message be to a future player about playing in the league and how it can help in the future?
MN: It can take you anywhere. I’ve seen teammates go on to play high-level hockey, enter the workforce, or head to school. It was my first real taste of high-level hockey, and I loved it. Grand Forks was great—my billets were awesome, my coach Nick Deschenes. That made it a great experience. Similar to what I was saying about coming to Europe. I went in not knowing what to expect, but it turned out great.
