ICE HOCKEY: Liam Kirk gets pat on the back from GB boss after promotion success

Liam Kirk in action against Italy. Pictures by DEAN WOOLLEY

GREAT Britain ice hockey coach Pete Russell has paid tribute to Liam Kirk after he helped the national side gain promotion back into the world's top flight.

GB won gold in the World Championship Division IA tournament in Nottingham, recently, a series in which Maltby's Kirk was the second top point scorer with three goals and seven assists in five matches.

The South Yorkshireman had more shots than any other skater who took part.

Yet Russell believes the 23-year-old has still to reach his full potential.

“He is such a good hockey player and is also now becoming a man,” he said.

“He is still young and can get a little bit stronger.

“I think Liam is getting more mature now. He is growing up and has that certain something in him.

“As a coach you look at him, before the next shift, and know he can go on and raise his level at key moments, he has that hunger in him.”

In match action, Kirk possesses such confidence that sometimes he passes or shoots in a situation that most fans wouldn't expect.

“Every coach needs to have some high-risk players in your team, that's what changes games,” said Russell.

“Sometimes they make mistakes but you have to take the good with the bad.

“Our team had the mentality that if we made a mistake we'd work together and make up for it.”

It is not clear where the 6ft 1ins forward, who was drafted by NHL franchise Arizona Coyotes in 2018, will play next year.

Coyotes retain Kirk's services and played him on loan at three clubs, Tucson Roadrunners, Atlanta Gladiators and Finnish side Jukurit last year.

“Liam will have to have a good summer and then I'm sure he'll go back to Arizona prospect camp and we'll see where he ends up,” said Russell.

“He will do all he can to push his way in, (NHL contention) we'll see what happens, but it is a long ride for him.

“I guess his injury (anterior cruciate ligament rupture, November 2021) put him back a bit but he went to Finland and got some great experience in a top league.

“We'll see what he has got from that and how it has helped him.”

Ben Bowns steps out for GB.

Russell said Kirk isn't usually vocal in the changing room but added: “He is a good communicator, gets on with everyone. He always got a smile on his face and you think he is up to something!”

The coach, whose German club side Ravensburg Towerstars also won the play offs this season, complimented Swinton-born goalie Ben Bowns, too, for his part in the GB promotion.

“Bownsy was just Bownsy. He played solid as did the team in front of him; he didn't give up a lot against Italy and made a timely save before the puck went up the ice and we scored.”