A Prince George hockey player is quickly making his way through the professional hockey ranks, albeit on another continent.
On Thursday (Dec. 10), Liam Blackburn leveled up through Germany’s ranks from fourth-tier to third-tier, known as Oberliga, in signing with the Passau Black Hawks.
The 24-year-old forward began his European stint in Amberg earlier this year as COVID-19 is allowing hockey to resume play in some countries overseas, and potted a remarkable 18 points in seven games, including 16 assists.
“I want to thank Amberg for my short time spent here,” Blackburn said in a team release.
“To the fans, for the support they give the team, to the staff for bringing me to such an amazing community and team to play for. To my teammates for always helping me on and off the ice and for being great guys to be around! It’s unfortunate that I have to say goodbye so soon. I would’ve really loved staying and playing in Amberg for the rest of the season, but with COVID-19, that opportunity wasn’t available.”
Blackburn has since made an immediate impact, scoring the 2-1 overtime-winning goal in his Passau debut on Sunday (Dec. 14) just 16 seconds into the extra frame on home ice.
Black Hawks Head Coach Chris Spanger called his newest acquisition a playmaker and claims the former Cariboo Cougar is one of the best players he’s seen in recent years.
“He convinced both athletically and humanly, and was a perfect fit for the team,” he explained.
“Coaches and teammates confirm this as well. For the rest of the season, he would [like to] wish him success."
Before his excursion across the Atlantic, Blackburn found success locally and nationally.
In 2016, he won the Fred Page Cup, Western Canadian Cup and national junior ‘A’ championship with the West Kelowna Warriors
In his one and only full season with his minor hometown team, 2012-13, Blackburn led the Cariboo Cougars with 85 points in 40 regular-season games, including 35 goals.
He also played three games that year with the Prince George Spruce Kings, recording three assists and four points.
After graduating from junior ‘A’, Blackburn made his way to the University of New Hampshire for four years of NCAA hockey
Passau is located 170 km northeast of Munich and is known as the ‘three-river city.’
Blackburn is two steps below Prince George goaltender Michael Garteig, who signed in September with ERC Ingolstadt in Germany’s top hockey league.
