Liam McKay '16 Recruiting Profile

Shut down, stay at home defenceman. That’s my calling card. I am known for my work ethic, reliability and skating skills. I thrive in a disciplined team environment where I can provide leadership through hard work and coachability. On the ice, I pride myself at winning battles and dominating opponents with my strength and conditioning, as well as being on my team’s first penalty killing line. My work ethic stems from my four grandparents who measured their worth by hard work and doggedness. Since a young age, I’ve pushed hard through the ranks of hockey teams every season.

Last season, I had the opportunity to develop my offensive skills such as puck movement and shooting, working to become a 3 zone D-man.  I was rewarded with power play ice time and with the team’s Most-Improved Player award. This 2015-16 season I have stayed with Midget AAA to focus on finishing my senior year with high grades and play Junior A as an AP player.

Education is a life priority, proven by my 4.0 GPA and 1910 SAT score. I am enrolled in a full science AP program and a French Immersion program.  My education ambitions are to leverage my high academics with my hockey skills to attend an NCAA college to pursue undergraduate and post graduate degrees in medical sciences or biomedical engineering. Giving back to my community is fundamental. I volunteer at church by making sandwiches for the homeless and give back to the hockey community by helping teach youth skating programs, coaching 3 on 3 tournaments and run Bantam AAA conditioning camps. On a part-time employment basis, I am a youth power skating coach.

Beyond hockey, I play other sports like golf and varsity track, advancing to City Championships in the 400m and 800m. Music is my guilty pleasure playing drums, other instruments and song writing for a band that has performed at several community festivals and school events.

At the end of each season, I set a goal for the following season and develop a plan to achieve it.  This includes training with a strength and speed coach four times a week, as well as power skating and defencemen camps.  Last year, I set a goal to make the Calgary Royals Athletic Association Midget AAA team at 16.  In achieving that goal I have learned what it takes to compete at the elite level. Hockey has taught me to push beyond my physical and mental limits and I love it.