Ask [Liam] Greentree about himself, and he talks about his dad, Trevor, a general contractor; his mom, Shannon, a registered nurse; and his older brother. He describes himself as mentally tough, passionate and determined, and his game as hard, tough and having a presence. He’s interested in being an athletic therapist in life after hockey, and likes to play tennis and golf. He models his game after Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy and says, “He’s big, he’s strong, he uses his body well, he’s got a good shot, and he’s smart.” He uses a straighter curve than most of his peers these days because of Patrick Kane.
He fell in love with hockey playing goalie for his brother’s buddies on outdoor rinks, and on a run to a silver medal at the OMHA finals playing up a year with the 2005 Clarington Toros in his first year of novice.
“In the finals, I think we lost 10-3, but I went bar down. When you’re that age and you’re going bar down…” he said of his earliest hockey memory, chuckling and trailing off as if to make a point.
His passion for the game has shone through in his three years with the Spitfires.
“He’s a down-to-earth kid. He doesn’t get too worried about playing time, stats. He just performs. And when you’re a good guy, people seem to gravitate to you, and Liam’s that kid,” Bowler said. “He’s always making the young guys feel a part of it, and that’s why I think our team had such a great turnaround (last season). Our players obviously aged and got a little older and stronger and better, but I think the fact that we have the chemistry in our locker room, led by a guy like Liam, people want to work together with good human beings, and that’s what Liam is.
“I know it sounds simple, but it is, and I don’t want to overcomplicate it.”
Why L.A. Kings’ Liam Greentree is a top prospect: ‘He brings so much to the table’
