Kieran Kenny came all the way from Ardrossan, Alberta, to play for the Colorado Springs Tigers’ 18U AAA team during the 2022-23 season.

This coming season, Kenny will stay in the United States after recently signing to play for the NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns.

“I am humbled with the opportunity to sign with the Helena Bighorns,” Kenny said. “The reputation the club has within the NA3HL proves it is one of the finest places to play in the league. I am honored and excited with the potential opportunity within the club and team.”

“Kieran Kenny is a high-character young man that is a really good teammate and a very coachable player,” added Bighorns owner-GM Mike Greene. “Those attributes alone will take Kieran to good places in hockey, but he is also a very good player, a big body that knows how to defend and can play the physical side of the game and has the awareness and puck skills that makes him a good puck mover.

“Kieran can see the ice in all three zones and has the potential to be an impact player right away.”

Kenny said his season with the Tigers was a turning point in pushing him to be ready for junior hockey.

“The overall schedule throughout the year was demanding and gave me a taste of what to expect for the upcoming season at the junior level,” Kenny said. “In addition to this, living away from home in a billet house allowed to experience all of the positive’s that come with living with another family. Both of my coaches (Kevin Holmstrom and Will English) have been excellent coaches as well as mentors for me. Their dedication to not only build hockey players, but also strong young men, does not go unnoticed. I am grateful for the work they have put into me and the opportunities they have given me.”

Now off to the NA3HL, Kenny said it’s another challenge for him to tackle.

“I am excited to continue to develop and pursue my goals in hockey,” said Kenny. “The opportunity to keep playing is most exciting, with the potential benefits of being exposed to college hockey all the more to look forward too. The NA3 does an excellent job advancing its players to the next level. Player advancement was important to me in regards to finding where I wanted to continue my hockey career. This, along with the outstanding reputation of the Helena Bighorns, were the main reasons I decided to sign with the club.”

Growing up in Canada, Kenny said he started playing hockey when he was four years old.

“It is no secret that hockey is played my many up here,” Kenny said. “I started playing hockey in the Camrose Minor Hockey Association, and hockey has taken me across the country to Vancouver Island where I attended boarding school to further my education and hockey development. After graduating high school, I needed to find a place to play. When the opportunity to play within the Tigers organization was presented to me, I jumped on it. Playing in Colorado was amazing, I have positive memories and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Set to play in Montana next season, Kenny is elated with the opportunities in front of him.

“My short-term goals in hockey are to continue to develop and become the best player I can be with my time in junior hockey,” said Kenny. “Long term, my goal is to use hockey to help me gain a higher-level education. Using hockey to get me an education has been a goal of mine since I started playing and still is to this day.”

Photo/Steve Robinson

— Matt Mackinder

(July 27, 2023)