A FINAL THANK YOU AND GOODBYE TO OUR 20 YEAR OLDS – Lane Kirk
The Swan Valley Stampeders would like to acknowledge defenceman and Team Captain Lane Kirk for his commitment, dedication and sacrifices, to both his hometown and the Stampeders organization over the past four seasons.
Kirk, playing for the Parkland AAA Rangers program at the time, was
auto-protected by the Swan Valley Stampeders in 2015 by Assistant Coach and Head Scout Darren Webster.
“He was a top defenceman in the province and I had the luxury of coaching him for two seasons in bantam,” said Webster. “He was a leader for us. He had all the skills to become a very solid two-way defenceman, which is hard to find.”
Kirk made the transition to junior A in 2016-17 from the Parkland AAA program where he played in front of his hometown crowd collecting 15 assists in 50 games in his rookie season. He followed that up with two goals, adding 17 assists in 59 regular-season appearances in 2017-18. Kirk started the next year with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) before returning to the MJHL with the Stamps’ at the trade deadline and helped his team reach the Turnbull Cup Championship finals for the first time in team history.
The Swan River product went on to set career highs in 2019-20 collecting two goals, adding 20 assists in 56 regular-season games. He dressed in all three playoff games against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines (collecting five assists) before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In nine games this season, Kirk tallied one goal and added four assists.
“Lane Kirk is a kid with amazing heart,” said Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff. “This hometown kid was a huge part of the leadership group over the last two seasons. He was our Alternate Captain last season and was promoted to being team Captain this year. He is an unbelievable leader, he is very mature and his hockey IQ is through the roof. Kirk made a name for himself in the MJHL as a hard-to-play against defenceman. He is a very strong skater, makes a great first pass, has the ability to get pucks through the opposition team from the offensive blue-line, is a solid net-front presence and excels in one on one battles.
“Lane is an amazing young man and an even better teammate. We want to thank Lane for everything he has done for his hometown team and community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
The entire Swan Valley Stampeder Organization would like to thank you Lane and wish you, and your family, all the best as you move forward.