Wings scouting a British player for the 2018 draft

The Sheffield Star’s Bob Westerdale reports that the Red Wings are scouting an intriguing 2018 draft prospect–6’2,” 157-pound forward Liam Kirk, who plays for the English Ice Hockey League’s Sheffield Steelers:

Ice hockey giants Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings are leading the NHL interest in Sheffield Steelers’ wonder-kid Liam Kirk.

Scouts representing the two franchises have watched the 18-year-old from Maltby in the past weeks.

While Steelers would miss his skill, energy and promise, they would not dream of standing in the way of a move which could bring fame and fortune to a forward who started playing for Sheffield Rapiers at the age of 13.

Coach Paul Thompson watched Kirk open the scoring in the 8-0 devastation of Belfast Giants on Sunday.

Afterwards, he said: “He is a level headed guy and we will keep his feet on the ground. He is a super, young, British talent and he is attracting a lot of interest.

“I believe Detroit were here (for the Belfast game) their chief amateur scout flew over from Sweden. Washington were here to watch him back to back. He knows he has got a long ways to go in his career.

“He is coming on, as is Cole (Shudra.) We wish him all the best, we hope he gets drafted in one of the low rounds and you never know where it is going for him.

“If he gets drafted to the NHL I believe how it works they have three years to sign him, to an NHL contract and then you become the property of theirs. He has put himself in a very good shop window.”

Westerdale continues (video included)…

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, when MLive hired me to work their SlapShots blog, and I joined Kukla's Korner in 2011 as The Malik Report. I'm starting The Malik Report as a stand-alone site, hoping that having my readers fund the website is indeed the way to go to build a better community and create better content.

3 thoughts on “Wings scouting a British player for the 2018 draft”

  1. Congratulations George! This is an exciting venture for you and I’m pleased because I agree with 98% of your posts, ha ha.

    All the Best!!

    Jimmy V#10

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