While doing Elite Scouting I was fortunate enough to interview a few people that would end up becoming professional hockey players. This was my interview with Liam Stewart who at the time was playing in the Western Hockey League for the Spokane Chiefs. Liam, the son of famed musician Rod Stewart and New Zealand model and actress Rachel Hunter. Liam was a great person to interview, very kind, and even collaborated with me on making his future highlight videos after.
Liam Stewart one of the more prolific forwards on the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. Since entering the league Liam has become one of Spokane’s most reliable two way forwards and a leader in the locker room. With this being his draft year I was wondering if there was anything in specific that he was focusing on.
“I'd have to say my overall defensive game. (face-offs, blocking shots,) knowing where to be. then offensively I've been working on my shot and my awareness. (passing) knowing where guys are.”
Adding to his impressive defensive awareness, Liam credits a lot of his skill to his speed which has allowed him to be a team leader in penalty killing. Despite Liam’s prolific background. The Chiefs have made him feel like he’s at home and is somewhere he is comfortable being.
“Unreal man. The fans are the best. The organization if unreal. And the learning experience from older players is great too a lot of fun. Specially long road trips with the guys”
No matter how great Spokane has been it’s hard not to notice the talent around the Western League. Being one of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the WHL has produced some world-class talents in the past and even recently. While there are first-round picks and even past 1st overalls coming from the WHL, who Liam considers his toughest opponents are a pair of rising talents in Ty Rattie and Brendan Liepsic. But one has to wonder how the son of a model and musician from a nontraditional market in Los Angeles, with a British and New Zealand citizenship, became interested in hockey, at least compared to other spots.
“I played hockey and soccer till I was about 14 then got my first camp invite and that made me really wanna pursue hockey and give it a shot”
The 2013 draft is approaching and being a late September birth this is Liam’s draft year, yet despite this Liam has taken things rather casually going for the much more laid back approach. Instead, Liam is looking back at his WHL memories. Citing playing with his linemates in Connor Chartier and Tyler King has some of his favorite moments, specifically scoring the OT winner with them on the ice. Liam is humble and is just happy to be where he is and whatever happens in the future he’s just proud to have played major junior hockey.
“Probably playing in the WHL and staying there. Never thought I'd make it to any league. So I feel that's my biggest”
Looking back at this 2013 interview Liam never did make the NHL, instead, he is playing professional hockey in Great Britain where after representing GB in international hockey and a brief stint in Alaska in the ECHL Liam seems to have found a home.
Kommentit