NEW FLYER HEELIS KEEN TO GO PRO IN FIFE
Fife Flyers forward Liam Heelis says beginning his professional ice hockey career with the Kirkcaldy side makes him feel ‘fortunate’.
The 26-year-old is ready to make his mark after completing a Masters Degree in Sports Psychology and comes to Scotland after playing at McGill University in Quebec.
And he’s excited by, not only the opportunity to become a professional player, but the chance to immerse himself in a new culture.
"I’m very excited to be joining the Fife Flyers organisation and feel grateful for the chance I have been given,” Heelis said.
“This gives me my first taste at professional hockey and an opportunity to submerse myself into a new culture and community.
"My values lie within strong team culture and contributing to the community and I have heard many great things about Fife's storied franchise and enthusiastic fans.
"I am eagerly looking forward to this experience and learning from the coaching staff and my new teammates so I consider myself very fortunate to start my pro career in Fife.”
Heelis played in the Ontario Hockey League for Peterbrough Petes firstly then on to Owen Sound Attack, with whom he won the OHL title in 2011.
He spent four years at Acadia University then last year at McGill, putting up 176 points in 170 games in the last five seasons.
That form also saw him represent his country, Canada, at the University World Championships where he played with Lucas Bloodoff, brother of new Fife colleague Evan Bloodoff.
Flyers assistant coach Jeff Hutchins revealed the references he received about Heelis have been among the best he’s seen.
"The character reference checks on him have been some of the most complimentary I have ever had on a player,” Hutchins said.
“He’s a good player and we’ll be adding a good person in the room and the community. On the ice, he‘s a smart two-way player that adds offence to a line in all three forward positions.
"Although he didn't play last year we feel that he has had a stellar university career and he will add some of the intangibles that we missed last season.”
(PHOTO CREDIT: Acadia University)
