Liam Kirk: On life in the Liiga with Jukurit after loan move from Arizona Coyotes and his pursuit of the NHL dream

When news broke on social media in late December that Kirk had been called back by the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes from Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL, followers and fans back in England dared to dream the 23-year-old’s ‘big moment’ had arrived.

It wasn’t to be and it will be some time yet before the former Sheffield Steelers and Sheffield Steeldogs forward will get an opportunity to take what would be an historic step for an English-born hockey player and make his debut in the world’s top league.

That moment, as is the case for so many youngsters pursuing the same dream, may not come at all but Kirk’s loan move to Finland’s top-flight Liiga with Jukurit – the real reason Arizona called him back – will only enhance his chances.

He is already a poster boy for the next generation of aspiring players coming through the somewhat disjointed UK junior system, him being picked by the Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft rightly regarded as an inspirational moment for others to try and follow in his footsteps.

But nobody said it would be easy. Four-and-a-half years later, we are still waiting for Kirk to get that first call-up, that first shift.

There are mitigating factors, not least the season-ending torn ACL injury he sustained in November 2021 while showing promise with Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL.

After months of rehabilitation, he was back, fit and ready last summer to make another push, preferably back with Tucson. But he only played for the Roadrunners once before being sent down to Atlanta where, over 15 games, he excelled, posting 11 points, including five goals.

With growing interest from Europe, talks between Kirk’s agents and the Coyotes gathered pace with Jukurit – coached by one of their former players, Olli Jokinen – Arizona’a preferred destination for their seventh round draft pick.

Some people saw the return to Europe as a backward step, a sign that the NHL dream was getting further away for Kirk. Others, rightly, see the fact Kirk is now plying his trade in the Liiga as a positive for his career, both now and in the future.

The player himself, having finally had chance to sit down and take stock following a whirlwind few days, clearly intends to make the move work to his advantage, as well as the team’s as they push hard for a play-off spot.

“I look at this as having a great opportunity to go and develop in one of the best leagues in the world,” said Kirk. “I want to have a good, strong last part of the season here and then we’ll see how things go.

“The NHL is obviously still my goal. Arizona’s rights run out in the summer of 2024 and the plan is, the goal is to be back in North America for next season.

“But I’m not thinking about that too much right now. I had a lot of time last summer after the injury, dwelling on things, planning my future out and I had planned on being in the AHL all this season. It didn’t turn out that way so, right now, I’m just focussed on being here at the moment and seeing what I can do.

“There’s a loan agreement in place and I’m sure if Arizona wanted to take me back over there this season they would do, but I highly doubt it given the way everything has gone so far this season. I fully expect to see the season out here.

“To be quite honest, I hope I do. I’ve been moved around so much I want to finish out the season in one place and Jukurit were really hot on me playing here, they really wanted me, so I’d love to finish the season with them and have a good play-off run.”

Having spent so long out of action injured, Kirk was understandably keen to pick up where he had left off in Tucson. But it is a fiercely competitive environment with thousands of youngsters all fighting for the same recognition in the hope they will get the call that could potentially change their lives forever.

If anything, since being drafted, Kirk has developed a knack of retaining realistic expectations, while always backing himself to achieve his ultimate aim.

Adapting to disappointments – whether injuries, being scratched in Tucson or otherwise – are part and parcel of the development process. Kirk was enjoying himself in Atlanta, fitting in right away and quickly making himself a valuable asset.

If he had spent the season with the Gladiators and managed to stay injury free, he would have enjoyed it and no doubt increased his profile further as a result. But he recognises that a move to the Liiga is something which will, overall, benefit his game more.

“If I was to play a full year in the East Coast or play a full season in the Liiga, I know which would look better on my resume in terms of development,” he added.

“And that is not taking anything away from the ECHL, it’s a really good league and is definitely getting a lot better. There are a lot of talented players in there.

“I had been thinking myself at times about the opportunity of going to play in Europe, playing in a higher level league.

“When I knew it was being discussed I had mixed emotions because I’d made a lot of really good friends at Atlanta during my time there and the team was great and I enjoyed being around the guys.

“So that part of it – leaving Atlanta – was tough but, at the same time, I was excited about the opportunity to come here.

“Finland’s Liiga is probably the fourth best league in the world (behind the NHL, KHL and Sweden) and when you come from Europe, or England like myself, you know about these leagues and so the prospect of playing in it is very exciting.

“And I’m playing with high-calibre players. The one guy on my line in the first week has plenty of experience, both here and in the KHL, while the other lad is a young guy, just back from the World Juniors, has been drafted and who is trying to get to the next level the same as me.

“I’ve really enjoyed it since getting here. There was a bit of jetlag after the long flight, but the guys have been great. I really like the coach Olli and the way he wants his team to play and I’ve got off to a good start. Hopefully I can keep it going.

“It’s a good position to be in.”

WHAT ‘THEY’ SAY ABOUT LIAM KIRK ….

JEFF PYLE (head coach, Atlanta Gladiators): "He was a class act from my eyes. Bought in and was a professional. He had no business being in this league.

"I think he was highly motivated to reach his goal. Guys that aren’t North American have more to prove and in my experience I have had three different guys come to me and all three were motivated to prove they belong – Liam is one of them

"Had he stayed here he would have been great but I was glad he has received a better opportunity. If he would have stayed in this league it wouldn’t have helped, but he needed to go after a better challenge.

"His goal was the AHL but as you know the NHL isn’t always the best at developing players at the middle or below on their depth charts.”

AARON FOX (head coach, Sheffield Steelers): "I don’t think there is a better league in the world that he could have been sent to to hone his game a little bit.

“It’s a huge move for him, I think very highly of Liam and still believe he’s got a great opportunity to make his way back into Arizona’s system and turn some heads the right way.

"It would have been very easy for Arizona to leave him in the Coast (ECHL) but this is a sign that they wanted him to be in a better league developmentally which I think is great for Liam and only benefits him.”

MIKA HYVARINEN (team manager, Mikkelin Jukurit): "We want to help Liam to become a better player and to get to the NHL. He will defintely help us to win games when he plays his best game.

"As soon as he got here, he went into the team very well. He has a lot of skill, very good vision and a good shot. He can make an impact.

"The Liiga is a very good league with a lot of young and talented players. I think that the knowledge of Olli Jokinen and Toni Lydman will help Liam a lot to become an NHL player.

"The coaching staff demands a lot and the competition and practise is hard.”