As do so many young men in the valley, Lane Kirk grew up watching the Swan Valley Stampeders. His dream was to one day play with the Parkland organization -- one of two in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League -- alongside the Dauphin Kings.
Kirk put in the work from day one as he played in the Swan Valley Minor Hockey Association as soon as he could as a young kid. When he was old enough, the Swan River born 20-year-old joined the Parkland U15 Rangers beginning in the 2013-2014 season. In two seasons with the Club, Lane scored 18 goals and he had 48 points in 66 games. One year with the U18 Rangers would follow that season and again, Kirk proved to be one of the better offensive defenceman in the league as he scored seven times and added 19 assists in 37 games.
Lane's final year of playing in his hometown minor hockey association was the last time that he had played full-time in the Swan River Centennial Arena at that point. Lane's junior days would begin in the 2016-2017 season as he joined the Western Hockey League's Prince Albert Raiders; however, it was just a short stint with the team as he only played three games. A short stop in Prince Albert ultimately led the now veteran back to the valley as Kirk was given the chance to join the Stampeders.
Kirk added 15 assists in his first season with the Stampeders that year and most importantly, he was back playing in front of his family and friends. Fast forward a few years and Kirk is now the grizzled veteran in the dressing room as he continues preparation ahead of his final campaign as a Stampeder.
"It's certainly been quite the change. Like you go from being the young guy that has to ask people for rides and now, I'm driving the young guys to the rink," offered Kirk. "It's been quite the ride the past few years and I couldn't have asked for anything more."
As Kirk has progressed through his junior days, so has his point production. After that 15 point season, Kirk scored twice and added 17 assists in the 2017-2018 season. Poised and determined to improve the next year, an upper-body injury saw Lane play just two regular-season games. He would; however, join the team in their long playoff run that went down to game 7 of the MJHL Final against the Portage Terriers. Last year, Kirk once again scored two goals and this time he added 20 assists for a 22 point total, his highest total as a Stampeder and junior player, respectively.
On Friday, September 18, Lane will enter the doors at the Swan River Centennial Arena as the Stampeders open up main camp. When he does, it will be the last time that he does to compete on the first day of camp as he will enter his final junior season. The 20-year-old will be a mainstay on the Stampeders back end this year and as long as he stays healthy, he will play in his 200th MJHL game (including playoffs) on October 23 as the team plays the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
If you combine his short stint with Prince Albert, Kirk's 200th regular-season junior hockey game will come on the second night of play against the OCN Blizzard.
"It's definitely crazy to think that it's come to this," offered Kirk. "It's time to leave it all on the table; I'll give everything I have this season."
The Stampeders have become one of the league's best organizations over the past couple of years. After advancing to the league final two seasons ago, the Club was up 2-1 in their series against Waywayseecappo last season when the playoffs were cut short due to the novel coronavirus. In what turned out to be the final game of the season, the hometown boy had two assists in a massive 10-0 win for the Stampeders.
As the 2020-2021 season inches closer, Kirk isn't only feeling good about where he is right now, but he's feeling good about what this year's team should have to offer based on players that are eligible to return and some off-season pickups that the organization has made.
"You always lose some key components with graduating players, but that just opens up the door for other players to rise to the challenge," added Kirk. "From what I've heard, we have a really strong group coming into training camp."
As noted above, this season is Lane's final as a junior player and he knows his goal is to play at the next level after this season. He says that's added some pressure but he's ready for anything that comes his way and he's looking forward to proving himself to not only his teammates but scouts at the next level.
"You always want to impress, I think that's everyone's goal," ended Kirk. "I just have to put everything I have into every game and I'll let my skill level show what I can really do."
The Stampeders will open up their regular season on October 9 in OCN and the game is the first of four against the northern rivals.
