Kirk expected to make big impact with Petes
First English-born player drafted to NHL officially signs to play in the OHL
The Peterborough Petes announced the signing of their top CHO Import Draft pick Liam Kirk to a standard player agreement on Wednesday.
Kirk, a six-foot-one, 160-pound left wing, was selected eighth overall in the 2018
CHL Import Draft in June. He is the first English born and bred hockey player drafted to the NHL.
Petes GM Mike Oke said Kirk is a player they expect can make an immediate impact in the OHL.
“Liam is somebody we think highly of,” Oke said.
“He’s coming in as a first-year player in the Ontario Hockey League but, at the same time, he’s coming in with the benefit of having played with and against much older players last season in Sheffield. That will help make his transition smoother in adjusting to the OHL style of game.”
There won’t be the language barrier some import players face. In addition, Petes head coach Rob Wilson, associate coach Andrew Verner and development coach Mike Duco all played in Sheffield and defensive coach Derrick Walser also played in Britain.
“It probably gives him a bit of comfort knowing he’s coming to a team that has members of the coaching staff, all of the coaches as a matter of fact, who either played or coached in the league he is coming from.
“They have a real good understanding of the level he’s become accustomed to and I’m sure that will give him a level of comfort as he looks to transition to the junior level.”
Kirk, who is from Maltby, England, played for the Sheffield Steelers in Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in 2017-18. In 52 games against men, he recorded nine goals, seven assists and 16 points – the third-highest point total ever in the EIHL by an under-19 player.
Prior to the CHL Import Draft, Kirk was selected in the seventh round, 189th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He has since attended Arizona’s Development Camp.
Internationally, Kirk played for Great Britain at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship Division II Group A, in the 2017 World Junior Championship Division I Group B, won gold at the 2018 World Under-18 Division II Group A and won bronze at the World Junior Championship Division II Group A.
He also won gold as the second-youngest player on Great Britain’s men’s national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship Division I Group A in April.
“I don’t know much about the team but know they have a great history,” stated Kirk, in a club press release.
“I’ve talked to (former Sheffield Steeler) Rob (Wilson), and he talked about his plans and how he thinks I can contribute.
“The ice size is different but having played against men the last few years who have played professionally for a long time, I think I’ll be able to adjust to a faster game. The OHL is the best junior league in the world and I can’t wait to get started.”
Fans will get their first look at Kirk at Petes training camp in late August.
The Petes will play five exhibition games between Sept. 1 and 16 including two home games on Sept. 2 at 2:05 p.m. against the Oshawa Generals and Sept. 13 at 7:05 p.m. against the Kingston Frontenacs.
The Petes will play their home opener on Sept. 20 at 7:05 p.m. against Kingston.