Liam Charnock sticks around as Leeds Chiefs’ most consistent nuisance

Although coming to the party slightly late in the Chiefs’ debut NIHL National season, it didn’t take the 25-year-old long to make a good impression on his new coach and team-mates.

It was an impression that lasted the course in a campaign brought to an early end by Covid-19, with player-coach Zajac seeing enough to ask the former Sheffield Steeldogs’ forward back for another year.

Charnock will form part of a solid returning core, with goalie Sam Zajac, defenceman Lewis Baldwin and forwards Joe Coulter and Lewis Houston already confirmed for 2020-21.

Posting 20 points, including eight goals, in 39 games, Charnock was a steady if not spectacular points contributor for the Chiefs. And while Zajac is keen to help Charnock enhance that side of his game going forward, he is quick to highlight other key strengths.

“Liam is a great character guy and you just know what you are going to get from him every night,” said Zajac. “He’s such a hard-working guy, so consistent and is a great, fast skater.

“He’s got a phenomenal work-rate and on all areas of the ice, he’s a bit of a pest and although he’s not flashy he more than chips in offensively. He’s there to be a nuisance and will grind guys down. He brings that grit and determination every roster needs.

“Every coach in the league wants a guy like Liam on their bench because he is Mr Dependable. He is a nightmare to play against and although he’s not a huge guy, he’s got that physical presence to his game.”

Charnock, who spent four years with the Steeldogs and made a handful of appearances for Sheffield Steelers, is keen to make up for lost time, having seen last season end early and with ice rinks in England only opening up again last weekend.

“I’m just really keen to get going,” said Charnock. “Normally by now we would have already been on the ice a number of times together and we would have started to see how well everyone was gelling.

“I’m desperate for us to get back on the ice together and I’m interested to see how everything is going to turn out. I’m very optimistic we can have a solid season.”

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