History-making Liam's off to the NHL!

And the former Maltby School pupil says: "I just don't have any words to describe it!"

The 18-year-old forward was the 189th player to be chosen this year in the round of draft selections, where the NHL's big guns pick the best young players to add to their rosters.

Liam has played for Sheffield Steelers for the past three seasons and helped Great Britain secure promotion back to ice hockey's elite level in April.

I'm very excited and really emotional," said Liam.

"It sounds like camp will start next week so I'll be getting there as soon as possible. It'll be my first time on the ice in a while when I get there.

"My mum and dad had tears in their eyes when the news came and I owe a lot to them for driving me back and forth to hockey games and training sessions."

Kirk is unlikely to make the Coyotes team to start next season, but will move to the USA and play for one of their affiliate junior sides but it is a massive step forward in his career.

He joins Scottish duo Colin Shields and Tony Hand as the only players born and trained in Britain to have been drafted to the NHL.