Kirk was born in Guelph, Ontario, on December 22, 1972. He was obtained by Detroit on March 20, 1996 from Edmonton for Dan McGillis. He scored his first Red Wings goal on April 10, 1996 vs. Winnipeg. Last season he played in 49 games with Edmonton. In 1994-95 with Edmonton he finished twelfth on the team in scoring and eighth in goals. Kirk scored his first goal in his NHL debut on October 8, 1993 vs. the New York Islanders. He captured the AHL Calder Cup with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1992-93, was named Owen Sound's MVP in 1990-91 and 1991-92, and was Rookie of the Year in 1989-90.
