It’s fair to assume that at the start of 2020, Liam Kirk would not have imagined that he would spend the final few months of the year playing third-tier hockey in Sweden.
Nonetheless, despite his short-time in Scandinavia, Kirk will have learned a lot from his Swedish adventure.
His second real go at professional hockey following on from playing for the Sheffield Steelers before being drafted, began in promising fashion.
After a whirlwind transfer and trip to Sweden, the British forward made his Hanhals Kings debut against KRIF (Kallinge-Ronneby IF).
Would a settling in period be required? No.
Kirk produced three points on debut, helping his new team to an 8-5 victory.
His first goal was pretty nice.
However, his first primary assist was even sweeter!
The Peterborough Petes forward went pointless in the next game, a 6-1 reverse but recorded an assist against Tranås AIF and then tallied his second goal in a 5-4 overtime loss to Kalmar HC.
Tranås AIF (assist)
Kalmar HC (goal)
At this stage, Hanhals were in the midst of a horrific slump, slipping to a further five regulation losses, 1-3, 1-7, 2-4, 1-4 and 2-8 respectively.
Kirk registered three points (1-2-3) in those five losses but in truth, there was little he could do to stem the flow as Hanhals continued to slump to heavy defeats.
On the morning of December 11, 2020, Hanhals parted company with the coaching crew and installed Thomas Heden as the new head coach, beginning with a game later that day.
Despite only ever coaching in junior, the new man at the helm had an immediate impact.
Hanhals handed Mörrum a 4-0 reverse and Kirk recorded a goal.
A payback victory against Kalmar HC followed, the Kings prevailing in the shootout with Kirk hitting the twine again.
The Arizona prospect would suit up for his final game against Tyringe, the team at the bottom of the standings who had humbled Hanhals during their slump.
Although Kirk was unable to get himself on the score sheet, Hanhals coasted to a 6-0 victory, a third straight success following the coaching change.
It has been confirmed by Liam Kirk himself that he is returning to the UK before heading to Canada and joining up with the Peterborough in preparation for a proposed January start date for the Ontario Hockey League.
Thomas Heden, Head Coach of Hanhals Kings on Liam Kirk:
“It is, of course, a bit sad that our gentleman from Sheffield makes his last match today, he has really picked up speed at the end and our wish would of course have been to keep him but Peterborough has called him back and the idea is that the OHL will start in January. We wish Kirk good luck with his future hockey career and hopefully, we will eventually see him in Arizona.“
Liam Kirk recorded ten points in eleven games for Hanhals of which eight were accrued at even-strength play and included four goals. He leaves the Swedish team as their third-highest scorer such was his impact.
Acclimatising to new surroundings in Gothenburg, finding chemistry with unfamiliar team-mates, enduring a struggling team and then a coaching change, are doubtless experiences that will hold the Maltby native in good stead.
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