Kirk laments missed OHL opportunity

Sheffield Steelers forward Liam Kirk was hoping to return to the OHL for some ‘unfinished business’, but admits it doesn’t look like happening this season.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a good start to the Elite Series, scoring four goals and two assists to lead the way in the scoring charts since returning to Steelers.

But he’s always kept his eye on the prospect of possibly returning to Ontario and resume his career with Peterborough Petes.  However, it looks like it’s over before it’s begun.

“I can’t really say for sure what’s going to happen,” Kirk said in the latest edition of the BIH Show.  “It looks more and more likely there won’t be an OHL season, given how late in the year we are now, plus Ontario, as a province, has gone back into another lockdown for four weeks.

“That’s another month before you can try to return to some level of normality.  It’s been tough for me as I felt I had unfinished business there.

“I wanted to go back and be a leader, prove something and that would give me more exposure to Arizona and the scouts there.

“The situation can’t be helped and it is what it is right now.  I’m playing though, which is the main thing and I’m playing at a good level.  Do well and I’ll maybe have the World Championships to look forward to as well.”

The news that Kirk may not be set for an imminent return to Canada will be a welcome one for the Steelers fans, who are enjoying seeing him in orange again.

And he spoke of what it’s like playing under Aaron Fox’s side, who are top of the standings with two regulation time wins in their three games so far.

“It’s good to be back in orange,” he added.  “It wasn’t anything I expected so soon, but with things the way they’ve been, everything kind of fell into place.

“I feel I’m a different player to what I was when I was last at Steelers, but getting those goals on Saturday was a nice way to start the tournament and for us to get the win as well.

“I skated with the team when Foxy came in before I went out to Peterborough so we knew each other, but this is the first time I’ve properly worked with him.

“His style is similar to that of Rob Wilson, my coach in Peterborough, so I’m already used to it.  There are differences, but I’ve adapted to it well.

“Foxy has a lot of trusts in his players and we make sure we have the small details in place to help us win, but I’m enjoying working with him so far.”