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Justin Kirkland made his NHL debut on Tuesday night for the Anaheim Ducks, becoming the 67th former Rocket player to play in the big leagues.
🚨 NHL Debut 🚨
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 21, 2022
Justin Kirkland takes his solo lap! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/7Mj9bL4Zy1
Kirkland, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators with the 62nd pick (third round) in the 2014 draft, registered two shots on net and three hits in just over seven minutes of ice time in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) December 21, 2022
Dubbed 'Costco' for his notable last name, Kirkland spent his entire junior career with the Kelowna Rockets, after being traded by the club in the fifth round of the WHL Bantam Draft in 2011.
A native of Camrose, Alta, the 6 ft 1 in left winger played in 199 WHL games, registering 71 goals, 98 assists for 169 points from 2011-16.
Kirkland contributed five points, playing in nine playoff games in the 2014-15 postseason where the Rockets won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.
After his junior career, Kirkland has spent the past seven seasons in the AHL, with the Milwaukee Admirals, Stockton Heat and San Diego Gulls, before a call-up with the Ducks.
Congrats Justin on your first NHL game!
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