With the NHL draft just around the corner a number of draft prospects took part in the NHL draft combine recently. One of those prospects who does not come from a traditional hockey playing country was Liam Kirk. Kirk and Great Britain won promotion to A-Pool at this past years Division 1/A World Championships in Budapest.
We caught up with Liam Kirk after he came back from Buffalo where the NHL draft combine was held. The draft combine was held between May 27th and June 2nd. The combine gives a chance for NHL general managers and scouting staffs an opportunity to meet and talk to draft prospects face to face. The players are put through a number of physical and mental tests, this gives them a picture of what they might be getting when drafting a player. In the late 90s and early 2000s when Tamás Gröschl and János Vas were drafted this was not organized by the league but teams would have to do this on their own when they had a chance. Vas was put through tests just days before he was drafted, Gröschl was also in a similar situation before he was drafted.
“It is basically a week of interviews with NHL teams to get to know prospects and then they have testing at the end of the week to see where the players are at physically.” summed up Kirk about the combine entailes. “The best part of this week was the entire experience in general and the way you are treated.” continued Kirk
The combine for Kirk is just one part of an unbelievable season for him. “It’s been an unbelievable season, obviously I’ve had three great tournaments with Great Britain this year and the last one with the men’s senior team was incredible, and too then get to go to the NHL combine and show NHL teams who I am as a person was something I’ll never forget.” said Liam Kirk about his past season.
Great Britain like Hungary is not a typical hockey country, if Liam can make it this could also be great for Hungary as the NHL teams realize that they can find prospects in not the usual places as well. We also asked Liam Kirk if he feels he has any pressure on him since he is not coming from a typical hockey country. “I do not feel like I have any extra pressure on me, I believe in my abilities and what I can do, I know I can play in the NHL.”
Right now Kirk has to finish his exams for school and wait to see what happens next. “I have to finish my college exams and just prepare for the next season, both on and off the ice. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me and now just wait to see where I get drafted.”
Liam Kirk is rated as the 65th European skater by NHL Central Scouting, one mock draft has him going to the Vegas Golden Knights with the 115th pick.
