Kim Hirschovits


Kim Michael Hirschovits-Gerz is a Finnish former professional ice hockey forward and sports manager of Kiekko-Espoo in the Mestis. During his playing career, he skated in the Finnish Liiga with HIFK, Jokerit, the Espoo Blues, and Oulun Kärpät; in the Swedish Elitserien with Timrå IK and Luleå HF; and in the Kontinental Hockey League with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Dinamo Minsk. Hirschovits was drafted by the New York Rangers as their sixth-round pick, 194th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Following his retirement in 2019, Hirschovits stepped into the role of sports manager at Kiekko-Espoo. He also served as the team's head coach during the 2019–20 [Mestis season|2019–20 season] and 2021–22 season.

Playing career

Hirschovits started his professional playing career with HIFK in the 2000–01 [SM-liiga season], but his career took off in the 2005–06 season, when he scored 40 points. Hirschovits then created controversy by signing with HIFK's local rival Jokerit, following in the footsteps of coach Doug Shedden. Hirschovits's career included a brief visit to North America in 2002, when he played six games with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League.
In September 2006, he was the SM-liiga Player of the Month. In the 2008–09 season he led the SM-liiga in assists and points and was the January 2009 SM-liiga Player of the Month. In the 2014–15 [Liiga season|2014–15 season], he was named the Liiga Best Player of the regular season, won the Liiga Golden Helmet, led the Liiga in assists and points, and was the February 2015 Liiga Player of the Month.

International play

Hirschovits made his international debut on Finnish national [men's ice hockey team|Team Finland] on the Euro Hockey Tour's Moscow tournament in December 2006.

Records