Liam Kirk is just four games into his Canadian Junior Hockey League career and it’s just too small a sample size to make any kind of judgement.

However, having not even entered October as I pen this article, Kirk has made a better start to his career in North America than most of his fans and followers could have imagined.

An assist on debut was followed by goals in consecutive games as Peterborough Petes won three straight to begin the season.
Game four saw the Petes demolished 7-1 by Hamilton Bulldogs but despite Kirk not managing a point, it certainly wasn’t for the lack of trying as he recorded five shots, the most by a skater on either team.

In fact it’s hard work which has epitomised Kirk’s early success.

His desire to win possession led to his first point.

That same level of commitment allowed him to steal possession at the offensive blue line before sniping home from the top of the right circle. This goal certainly had fans sitting up and taking notice.

His calmness when presented with a gilt-edge chance is born out with his second goal.    It would have been all too easy for a young man looking to impress, snatching at the opportunity.

Thankfully Peterborough have played Kirk on his favoured left wing to begin with and he’s had a variety of lines mates to date.
In the last two games he’s been paired with two of the more experienced forward in Zach Gallant (Petes Captain) and right winger Adam Timleck. Gallant was drafted 83rd overall by Detroit Red Wings in 2017, whilst Timleck is a 20 year old playing his last season in the Ontario League.

There is bound to be a dip or two through the season for Kirk, who may be tried at the centre position at some point, but the signs are encouraging that the Englishman has hit the ground running in Canada’s premier junior league.