Liam Fitzgerald played two seasons with the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings, joining back in the 2023-2024 season after playing with the Revelstoke Grizzlies and the Fernie Ghostriders of the KIJHL. A playoff performer, scoring three goals in seven games of last year and six in the 17 games this year which led all Red Wings in postseason goals. I chatted with him about his time as a Red Wing, how he’s progressed as a hockey player and the future of Liam Fitzgerald. You can listen to the full interview at the bottom of this article.
Dylan: First, your full name and what team you played for.
Liam: Liam Fitzgerald, Richardson Pioneer Wayburn Red Wings.
D: So, yeah, you're a 20-year-old. You're now done junior hockey. You spent two seasons with the Red Wings last year and this year. I guess first, starting with this year, because it was such a crazy ride going all the way to the SJHL finals. I mean, what was it like to be on the ice?
L: It was pretty special. We had a special group this year and to be able to make the run that we did deep into the finals, it's what you dream about when you're growing up, making playoff runs, playing an important hockey game. So, it was awesome. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my last year of junior hockey.
D: Yeah, for sure and obviously for yourself, you know, bit of a goalscorer role in the playoffs. You led the boys in the postseason goals so it's got to be pretty exciting when you, you know, you're playing those important games and you're putting the puck in the back of the net and folks are cheering you on. What's that? You know, what's that like?
L: Yeah, that was, it was awesome. I've always been able to kind of elevate my game in the playoffs, so I was really hoping obviously this year I could do that again and the goals came and that was awesome. Especially with our rink as loud as it was, getting the score in front of the home fans was pretty special. So yeah, it was awesome. Would have liked to put in a couple more in that final series but yeah, it was awesome.
D: Now said in those two seasons to get to this point, what did you see from the community and like the support that you got as a player in your last two seasons, especially from last year to this year?
L: It was awesome getting to be familiar with people in the community, getting to know people more. It was pretty special, and I think having a little more success this year than we did last year, we really started to kind of pick up fans as the season went on so that was awesome. By the end of the year, we were selling out the CPP and that's all you can ask for from the community. It was unbelievable and we felt their support through every round of the playoffs and the regular season.
D: For sure, and so now you’re done. You're aged out of junior hockey, haven't committed anywhere, obviously, to continue, but maybe what's the future look like for Liam Fitzgerald? Obviously, you're an Alberta boy, looking going to return home.? Go to school.? What's the next few years look like?
L: Yeah, it's kind of up in the air right now. The phone lines have been pretty dead so far. So, we'll see what happens. Hopefully be able to keep the hockey career alive and go to school next year. But I don't really know what the future holds for me, but definitely university next year and hopefully some hockey along with it.
D: Awesome, perfect.