From the moment Liam Kirk was helped off the ice in a game against Henderson Silver Knights, I feared the worst for the young British forward.
It was an innocuous-looking coming together with an opponent, which resulted in an awkward fall.
After lying prone on the ice for a few minutes, Kirk was helped to his skates and virtually carried off the ice, unable to bear any weight on his right leg.
As per a post on his Instagram account, Kirk confirmed he had been through successful surgery to repair a torn ACL.
He added that’s he’s feeling positive about his recovery and the nine-month journey ahead.
His career has been blighted by a great deal of adversity for a player of such tender years.
During his rookie OHL season, the then Peterborough Petes forward went through somewhat of a slump before rebounding after a Christmas break. He proceeded to finish the second half of the season on an offensive tear. Any further development was sadly halted by a swift playoff exit.
In year two, injury, illness and a pandemic struck.
Kirk was sick for a fortnight leading him to miss two weeks.
Upon his return, the forward duly suffered a facial injury which ruled him out for a month.
Finally, back on the ice and in great form, the season came to a shuddering halt due to the pandemic hitting North America.
That wiped out a potential championship run with a strong Petes team that had loaded up and a shot at the World Championships.
With no 2021-21 OHL campaign on the horizon and little help forthcoming from the Arizona Coyotes, Kirk was forced to find his own way.
Firstly, playing in the third tier of Swedish hockey before returning home to compete in a pair of hastily arranged UK tournaments.
Hardly the kind of competition to help the winger develop and earn an NHL contract.
The 21-year old’s heroic performances at the World Champions in GB colours only served to showcase what he could achieve if ever given a level playing field in his career.
It was enough to convince a new management group in Arizona that their 2018 seventh-round selection was worthy of an entry-level contract.
Kirk set about his AHL rookie campaign with enthusiasm, a fantastic work rate and no mean skill.
He performed exceptionally well for a rookie on a Tucson team that hasn’t had things easy to begin the season.
This knee injury is another cruel twist of fate that robs Kirk of yet another year of valuable development time.
To say it’s rough justice feels like a massive understatement for a player who never seems to be able to catch a break.
Liam is remaining upbeat, and so should those who care about him and his career.
He’s shown an innate ability to bounce back from every setback in his fledgling career to date.
I would never back against him making an impact upon his return and making more moments like this.
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