2023 QMJHL Draft | Under the Microscope: Liam Kilfoil
Halifax Mooseheads’ third round draft pick Liam Kilfoil began playing minor hockey in his native province of New Brunswick, most notably with the Port City Sharks.
Last year however, he moved south of the border to suit up for Mount St. Charles Academy, a renowned hockey program in Rhode Island. While there, the dynamic centre posted 49 goals and 133 points in 62 games, cementing his status as one of the top 14-year-old players in North America.
It was more of the same for Kilfoil in 2022-23, who suited up for both the U16 AAA Buffalo Regals under head coach Kyle Quick. In 25 games with the Regals, the 15-year-old put up impressive totals of 16 goals and 36 points.
He also suited up for the Salisbury School Crimson Knights in the USHS Prep league where he had 18 points in 25 games. Liam and his parents opted to transfer to the Connecticut school from Mount St. Charles so that he could play against some older competition.
Quick describes Kilfoil as one of those players with that ‘it’ factor. He is a quiet leader who makes everyone around him better and certain aspects of his game are going to help facilitate his transition to Major Junior hockey.
“He’s always on the right side of the puck. He’s a very cerebral player and a very good finisher around the net,” explained Quick. “At the next level, he’s going to generate offence because he can create space for himself on the ice. He’s very shifty and he has the puck on his stick all the time.”
Kilfoil represented New Brunswick during the first stage of the 2023 QMJHL Cup last month in Dieppe, N.B. and certainly left a strong impression on the scouts in attendance.
“During the first phase of the QMJHL Cup, he showed his effectiveness in all three zones. Defensively, he’s reliable by supporting his defensemen, keeping an active stick and competing in battles. He can be used in all situations for his team, no matter if it’s the powerplay, the penalty kill or the last minute of a game,” said Justin Blackmore, a QMJHL CSR Scout in New Brunswick. “He is a great puck distributor and creates scoring chances consistently. He’s also strong on his feet and effective at protecting the puck.”
Kilfoil’s combination of significant offensive upside and defensive awareness at the centre position is something that caught the attention of the Mooseheads scouting staff and made him a priority at the QMJHL Draft.
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Liam Kilfoil
Height: 5’11″ | Weight: 170 lbs
Date of Birth: March 21, 2007
Birthplace: Quispamsis, New Brunswick
Shoots: Left
