As the 2017-18 Liberty Men’s Hockey season begins tonight at LaHaye Ice Center, Coach Kirk Handy has put together one of the most talented and geographically diverse teams in school history. While winning hockey games is important to Handy, off the ice success and the spiritual growth of his team is the real prize. Handy, the former Flames’ scorer is now in his 18th season as Liberty Head Coach. Over his time leading the program, Handy’s focus has evolved.
When asked how his coaching philosophy has changed over the years, Handy’s face lights up. “A lot has changed. I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere of working at Liberty…I want to do everything we can to win every night. The competitive juices haven’t changed over 17 years of coaching. What has changed is my philosophy is how we can best use sports and our faith and integrate them. Sports and faith can be integrated at such a high level, and using those two things together can be a powerful force.”
The Flames open their season tonight against Alabama at 7pm.
What is clear from sitting down with Kirk Handy is that he and his staff have put in a tremendous amount of planning and effort to ensure that his players are guided not just towards winning, but towards service in Christ. The team regularly travels overseas on mission trips, and this season he and his players will make the trek to China. Last season the Flames volunteered at a homeless shelter in Providence, Rhode Island while on a road trip, and will do so again at some point this year. Liberty players also volunteer their time to help youth hockey players in Lynchburg on weekends as well.
Kirk Handy enters his 18th season behind Liberty’s bench.
To set the tone for this season, Handy and his staff have teamed with Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hockey to create a “Warrior Fellowship” weekend for the team. There the players were able to be challenged physically and spiritually to become better leaders and teammates, on and off the ice. “I want to make sure that we are doing things every day to make sure our guys are growing in their faith.”
Spiritual growth is not the only off ice goal for Handy. He has made academic success a priority as well. “One of our goals last season was to have a team GPA of 3.1, and I may up it to 3.2 this year,” Handy quipped.
Winning on the ice, with an exciting brand of hockey is of course important as well. Liberty returns much of their scoring fire power from last season, a team that went on a 10 game winning streak to finish the regular season and win the ESCHL conference tournament. Handy has also added some likely big contributors in Forwards Cole Gammer and Jordan Bochinski, as well as NCAA D-III transfer Goaltender Cole Burack. Coach Handy has a strong set of on ice goals for his team. Those goals include winning the ESCHL Regular Season Championship, making the National Tournament again this season, and ultimately to win the ACHA National Championship. Regardless of how many games the Flames win this season, and they will win a lot, Coach Kirk Handy has his squad on track to exemplify the title of “Champions For Christ”.
The Flames open a 2017-18 season tonight that will feature 22 home games against opponents such as Alabama, West Virginia, Syracuse, Ohio, and Delaware. Liberty starts the season ranked #15 in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) rankings, and will look to build off of their ESCHL (Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League) Tournament Championship from last season.
Game time tonight against Alabama is 7pm, with tickets available at the gate. The game will also be broadcast live on the Big South Network.
