Third-tier Swedish club Hanhals Kings announced today (October 17) that they have signed British forward Liam Kirk on loan.

If all relevant paperwork is completed and ratified then Kirk could make his professional debut outside of the UK as soon as tomorrow, Sunday 18th October 2020 against Vimmerby HC.

Hanhals compete in the ‘HockeyEttan’, have a roster composted of entirely Swedish players and are affiliated with SHL team Frölunda HC.

*UPDATE* It has been confirmed by a very reliable source that Liam Kirk shall be training with Frölunda HC.

Their coach is vastly experienced 58-year-old Jan Ericson, who has held various head coaching and player development roles in Sweden, Italy and Norway.

The Kings season has already gotten underway and they haven’t fared too badly in five games to date. Recording one regulation win and loss, two overtime victories and a single overtime defeat.

Hanhals play home games at Kungsbacka Ishall which is where Kirk might make his debut tomorrow afternoon.

Details are thin on the ground regarding this arrangement between Hanhals and Kirk but I imagine that the Arizona prospect will be free to leave if or when an OHL or AHL opportunity presents itself.

The Coyotes still own Kirk’s rights until next year and the Peterborough Petes are eligible to offer him a return to the OHL as an overager/overseas player.

There is also the AHL option should Arizona want to see him in action in that development league and their affiliate in Tucson pens him to an AHL only deal.

*UPDATE* It has been confirmed by a very reliable source that Liam Kirk is on loan from the Peterborough Petes to Hanhals and as such would return to the OHL if that league returns to action this season.

Caitlin Berry and I looked at those options back in November before the pandemic hit. https://wp.me/p2gDti-SE

Kirk is going to wear #17 for Hanhals and has already been interviewed in his new surroundings

For more information on the Swedish club, their website link is here https://www.hanhalsif.se/start/?ID=289690 and Twitter account is @HanhalsIF