As the ASU hockey season came to a close, the Sun Devils not only said goodbye to the ACHA, but also to one of their greatest players on and off the ice: Liam Norris.
Growing up in Canada, Norris knew at a young age that he would play hockey. What he couldn’t have predicted was he would graduate from a university more than 1,800 miles away from his hometown, and leave ASU as one of the most influential players in the program’s history.
“For four years, he was the kid that literally everyone wanted to play with because he makes everyone better,” head coach Greg Powers said. “He’s the epitome of . . . he just makes everyone around him better.”
Norris started playing hockey when he was 5 because his best friends played. He went on a great run with the Alberta Junior Hockey League, without aging out. After Norris finished his final season in Alberta, he had a choice to make and for obvious reasons, the Valley of the Sun was furthest from his mind.
“I really didn’t believe that it was true (a hockey team in Arizona), so I looked it up online and filled out the recruitment form,” Norris said. “Powers contacted me right after and it all just kind of fell into place. It’s pretty hard not to choose ASU once you hear all about it and see what’s going on down here.”
Norris and Powers clicked instantly. Norris liked Powers and his plan to turn the team into a “perennial powerhouse.” Powers knew Norris was the kind of player he wanted on his team.
Norris had a tough start as a Sun Devil. He suffered injuries — mostly concussions — in his first two years on the team. But that didn’t stop him.
Powers points to ASU’s first game at Nationals, when Norris was a freshman, as one example of his strength as a player. The team finished its regular season against Arizona and Norris suffered a pretty bad concussion, but was cleared for the national tournament. ASU lost in the first round to Oakland, but Norris pulled out a performance that was unforgettable — he was on fire and competitive despite his injuries.
“He was a beacon of consistency,” Powers said. “One game really doesn’t stick out, but if it’s any, it’s probably that one because it just shows how tough he is.”
Norris missed numerous games during his first two seasons because of concussions and injuries, but he got through them thanks to the support of Powers and his teammates. Norris didn’t miss one game due to injury in his final two seasons.
The team, and many fans, know Norris as the “assist” guy. He knows how to get the puck to other guys as evidenced in his final season — 41 assists, the most of any player. Assisting is really a nod to his humility, but Norris says it’s just that he “hasn’t always been the best goal scorer,” but he’s played with some great shooters, so he just adapted his game. It’s a strategy that has worked beautifully for him and his team.
The downfall of always assisting? Sometimes it can go unnoticed for a while, or three and a half years.
The Sun Devils have a tradition. After every win they distribute a hard hat to the MVP of the game. Despite numerous contributions, the hard hat eluded Norris for three and a half years. But it seems to have been worth the wait.
“He was so excited. He was always such an offensive contribution to the team and always contribute, but was kind of underrated,” teammate Kory Chisholm said, reflecting on his favorite moment with Norris. “He was always such a key component and was finally recognized, that’s a memory.”
Hard hat or not, Norris was clearly an inspiring player throughout his career as a Sun Devil.
Coming onto a new team as a freshman not knowing anyone can be intimidating. Connor Mailey was that guy this year, but Norris made him feel right at home. The two ironically ran into each other during the off-season, in British Colombia. Norris made Mailey feel welcome and part of the team before the season even started. Mailey played on his line a couple times this year, an opportunity no every player experiences.
“He’s a quiet leader, but when he steps on the ice he makes a presence,” Mailey said. “He shows all of the freshman and everyone below him that when he’s out there, he’s there to play. He’s just all around a good guy.”
Norris has played with many players over the past four years, but a line that will be remembered is his with Eric Rivard and his brother, David Norris, late in his final season.
The line was originally Norris, Rivard and Sean Murphy, but Murphy headed to Spain for the University World Games and Powers substituted David in, resulting in some of the greatest performances of the season.
This was the first time the Norris brothers had played on a team together since they were much younger, and Rivard is so grateful to have been there through it with them.
“It was awesome,” Rivard said. “I felt privileged to play with both of them, especially because this is the last time they are ever going to play together, so to be on their line and be a part of it. I’m just kind of humbled by it.”
This was also a dream come true for David, who has always looked up to his older brother.
“He’s really determined,” David said. “Anything he does in life he’s always really going hard for it. I try to take that from him.”
Liam racked up the most points on the team with 41 assists and 16 goals in his final season, but when according to his teammates, it was the guy Liam is off the ice that really stood out.
“He’s an incredible person, both on the ice and off the ice,” Chisholm said. “No matter what he’s doing, he’s always successful, whether it’s school, whether it’s hockey, or just life in general. He’s just a cool guy; He’s the man.”
Liam’s final season didn’t end as he had hoped. It was over too soon and as the clock ran out in Cleveland, the end of his collegiate career still wasn’t real for him.
“It didn’t really set in until about a week ago when we had to clean out our lockers,” Liam said. “It just didn’t really seem like it was over until I was there emptying out my stall and realizing that I’ll never be putting stuff back in it or getting dressed again to play a serious hockey game.”
Liam graduates in May with a degree in mechanical engineering. He has a job lined up back in Canada. He will always be remembered by ASU, not only for his phenomenal offensive performances, but also as a great teammate and friend off the ice.
“A great character to have in the room as a whole, just to have Liam on and off the ice with the team, is definitely his best contribution,” Chisholm said. “Aside from his great offensive ability and his talent on ice, I still think Liam’s character as a whole is the greatest contribution to ASU hockey.”
Reach the reporter at kewens@asu.edu or follow @katlynewens on Twitter.
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