Justin Kirkland Bio
Justin Kirkland is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays the centre position. He is currently under contract to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) and has been assigned to the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 193 pounds, Kirkland shoots left and has built his career through hard-nosed, physical play in the AHL and limited NHL stints. Over the years, he has earned the playful nickname “Costco” among teammates, a nod to the Kirkland Signature brand carried by the wholesale retailer.
Early Life and Background
Justin Kirkland was born on August 2, 1996, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Although he was born in Manitoba, he grew up in Camrose, Alberta, where he developed his early interest in the game of hockey. He played two seasons of bantam triple-A hockey for the Camrose Kodiaks U15 AAA team of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, establishing himself as a promising young forward in the region.
After his time with the Kodiaks, Kirkland was selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the fifth round, 103rd overall, of the 2011 Western Hockey League (WHL) bantam draft. From 2011 to 2013, he played at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, a school well known for producing skilled hockey players. These formative years helped him transition into major junior hockey and set the stage for his professional career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Justin Kirkland cracked the Kelowna Rockets’ roster full-time in the 2013–14 WHL season and finished eighth in team scoring with 48 points in 68 games. His strong rookie campaign caught the attention of NHL scouts, and the Nashville Predators selected him in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, 62nd overall. He then scored 51 points in 50 games during the 2014–15 WHL season, helping the Rockets capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.
The Rockets advanced to the Memorial Cup final that year, with Kirkland scoring twice against the Quebec Remparts during the tournament. Although they fell to the Oshawa Generals 2–1 in overtime, his playoff performance confirmed his offensive upside. After posting 67 points in 69 games during the 2015–16 season, Kirkland signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators on May 16, 2016, formally beginning his professional career.
Justin Kirkland Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Justin Kirkland began his professional career in the 2016–17 season, splitting time between the Nashville Predators’ ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, and their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He played four games with the Cyclones while spending the bulk of the year in the AHL. Over the following two seasons, he remained exclusively with the Milwaukee Admirals, gradually developing his two-way game and adjusting to the pace of professional hockey.
His most productive season in the Predators’ organization came in 2018–19, when he posted nine goals and 30 points. As a restricted free agent during the 2019 offseason, Kirkland was not issued a qualifying offer by Nashville and became an unrestricted free agent, opening the door to a new chapter in his career.
Calgary Flames Era (2019–2022)
On July 1, 2019, Justin Kirkland signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Calgary Flames, reuniting him with former Rockets teammate Dillon Dubé. He was assigned to the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat, for the 2019–20 season and delivered his strongest offensive output as a professional to that point, recording six goals and 28 points in 53 games. The Flames re-signed him to another one-year deal on September 28, 2020, and he spent the entire 2020–21 campaign with the Heat.
Kirkland signed another one-year, two-way contract on August 25, 2021, and posted 25 goals and 48 points in 66 games in his third Stockton season, helping the team reach the AHL Western Conference Finals. His consistent production in the minors made him a valuable depth signing within the Calgary organization.
Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes Stints (2022–2024)
As a free agent from the Flames, Justin Kirkland signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 14, 2022. He began the 2022–23 season with the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, and was recalled on December 20. That night, he made his NHL debut in a 4–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, appearing in seven games for Anaheim.
On January 9, 2023, Kirkland was involved in a serious car crash while traveling to a Ducks game against the Boston Bruins. He was hospitalized overnight and released the next morning, then placed on injured reserve. Once healthy, he went unclaimed on waivers and was returned to the Gulls on February 23, finishing the year with nine goals and 18 points in 32 games in San Diego. On July 15, 2023, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes. He began 2023–24 with the Tucson Roadrunners before being recalled and making his Coyotes debut on January 7, 2024, against the Winnipeg Jets.
Return to Calgary (2024–Present)
Following the relocation of the Coyotes’ franchise, Kirkland opted to return to the Calgary Flames, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract on July 3, 2024. On October 13, 2024, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers in a 4–1 victory. The milestone came after years of perseverance in the minor leagues and marked a memorable moment in his career.
On November 29, 2024, Kirkland suffered a knee injury during a game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets that required ACL surgery and ended his 2024–25 season. In 21 games with Calgary before the injury, he had recorded two goals and six assists, contributing in a bottom-six role before being sidelined.
Driving Style and Strengths
Justin Kirkland is recognized for his strong, physical playing style, combining a tall frame with responsible two-way play. He is effective in a bottom-six role, using his size along the boards and in front of the net while providing veteran leadership to younger linemates in the AHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Justin Kirkland’s signature moments are scoring twice at the 2015 Memorial Cup and helping the Kelowna Rockets capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup. He also made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks on December 20, 2022, and notched his first NHL goal on October 13, 2024, against the Edmonton Oilers.
Justin Kirkland Career Wins
Justin Kirkland’s career has been built largely in the American Hockey League, where he has produced consistent offensive numbers and contributed to deep postseason runs. While his NHL point totals remain modest, his minor-league résumé includes multiple 20-plus goal seasons and a trip to the AHL Western Conference Finals with the Stockton Heat.
AHL and WHL Highlights
In the WHL, Justin Kirkland helped the Kelowna Rockets win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2015 and recorded back-to-back 50-plus point seasons. In the AHL, his most productive year came with the Stockton Heat in 2021–22, when he scored 25 goals and 48 points in 66 games and helped lead the team to the Western Conference Finals. His first NHL goal, scored on October 13, 2024, against the Edmonton Oilers, stands as one of the defining individual achievements of his top-level career.
Other Performances
Justin Kirkland has served as a reliable AHL contributor, posting nine goals and 18 points in 32 games with the San Diego Gulls in 2022–23 and playing a depth role with the Tucson Roadrunners in 2023–24. His steady presence has made him a dependable call-up option for multiple NHL organizations.
Justin Kirkland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Justin Kirkland’s family background are limited, with no widely reported information about his parents or siblings available from verified sources.
Personal Life
Justin Kirkland grew up in Camrose, Alberta, after being born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and he spent formative years studying at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan. Beyond his well-documented hockey career, no further verified personal-life details are publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Kirkland’s 2024–25 season was cut short on November 29, 2024, when a knee injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets required ACL surgery. Before the injury, he had appeared in 21 games for the Calgary Flames, recording two goals and six assists while offering dependable bottom-six minutes. His recovery timeline placed the remainder of his season in question, and his status heading into 2025–26 will depend on his rehabilitation progress.
Looking ahead to the 2025 calendar year, Kirkland’s primary focus is on returning to full health and competing for a roster spot with the Flames. With his contract status and role within the organization still developing, his comeback will be one to watch for both Calgary and Wranglers fans. Should he regain his pre-injury form, he could once again provide valuable depth and physicality to a club that has long valued his work ethic.
