Petes coach appreciates the skills of new import picks
English import sees what Peterborough fans are like by going to a Lakers game
Liam Kirk got a taste of what the Memorial Centre atmosphere can be like at a Peterborough Lakers playoff game last week.
The English hockey prodigy, and Petes first-round CHL Import Draft pick, and secondround selection Erik Cermak are getting accustomed to their new surroundings.
They hit the ice for the first time as training camp scrimmages kicked off at the Memorial Centre on Tuesday.
“It’s very good,” Kirk said, of his introduction to lacrosse. “It’s very physical. A lot of slashing and all that going on. The fans seemed to like the sport. It was a good game to watch and they got the win.”
Kirk tried throwing a ball in his billet’s driveway with a lacrosse stick.
“I nearly broke a window with it so I’ll have to have a few more practice throws,” he said.
But Kirk is here to play hockey and he comes with some hype as the first English born and raised player to be drafted to the NHL. The Arizona Coyotes took him in the seventh-round in June.
The Petes selected him using European and NHL contacts so Tuesday was the first chance for head coach Rob Wilson and GM Mike Oke to see him live.
“Liam is around the puck all the time and I’ve been pretty impressed the way he and (Chris) Paquette have worked together,” Wilson said.
“The puck seems to find his stick and I had heard that about him, too. That’s definitely true. He gets there and whether it’s in a great scoring position or not the puck seems to find him.”
Cermak arrived two days before camp and didn’t get on the PMC ice prior to scrimmages.
“It’s smaller ice than in Europe and Peterborough has different corners but I enjoyed it and I think it will be fun,” Cermak said.
“Some of the players here are really good and I enjoyed watching them and playing against them.”
The Czech Republic native, who played in Salzburg, Austria last season, wanted to come to North America for the exposure.
“I wanted to be on the ice for the scouts for the NHL draft next year,” Cermak said.
“It’s the best junior league in the world and I want to improve. I think this is the best place to improve.”
Wilson liked what he saw from Cermak.
“He skates with his head up and is a guy who seems to be looking to make plays and to find guys,” Wilson said.
Oke said both players made favourable first impressions.
“Liam showed a good deal of speed and some skill with the puck and looked strong on the puck,” Oke said.
“He’s still got lots of room to grow and fill out but I think it was noticeable that he’s played with and against some bigger players to this point. It will still be an adjustment. The style of game is a little different than the European game. I thought he certainly acquitted himself well.
“Erik demonstrated some nice skill,” Oke added.
“He moves OK out on the ice. That was his first time being on our ice which is a considerably different dynamic than what he’s accustomed to. Overall, the first impress is a positive one.”
Training camp scrimmages resume Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Following the morning session, Oke and Wilson will meet with the 2002-born draft picks and the majority will return to their respective junior or major midget teams.
The remaining players will be divided into two teams for the annual Maroon and White Game at 7:05 p.m. at the PMC.
NOTE: See Petes Pieces notes and more photographs on Page C2.