One of the best stories of the NHL season has come to an end.
It feels a little cruel and unfair, really.
Justin Kirkland became one of those players who was almost impossible to root against. An amazing example of a guy grinding it out for years in the minors and then earning a shot in the NHL, where he thrived.
On Wednesday, though, the Calgary Flames announced that Kirkland’s season was over. He underwent ACL surgery earlier in the day to fix a knee injury he suffered last week against the Columbus Blue Jackets and will not return this year.
“He was a great story this year for us and how he came up and how he contributed right away in different ways, whether it was the shootout or stepping up and fighting for a teammate,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska.
“He was doing a lot of great things and was someone who stayed with it and over the years kept believing in himself, got himself an opportunity and now, because of an unfortunate injury he’s going to be gone for the remainder of the year.”
For those unfamiliar with Kirkland’s story, he was selected in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.
He then spent the vast majority of the next decade playing in the AHL, including three seasons with the Stockton Heat, who were the Flames’ affiliate at the time.
He then earned himself his first NHL playing time with the Anaheim Ducks and played in seven games, only to be sidelined by a car accident.
He played two games with the Arizona Coyotes last year, but was mostly in the AHL, signing with the Flames in free-agency this summer.
After starting the year with the Calgary Wranglers, Kirkland was called up for NHL action in early October and made the absolute most of the opportunity.
Playing in a fourth-line role, Kirkland scored twice, added six assists and was a +6 in 21 games. He scored three shootout goals – all highlight reel-worthy – and even dropped the gloves for a spirited scrap with the Los Angeles Kings’ Samuel Helenius.
There was a rumoured Costco partnership that was in the works, and fans couldn’t get enough of stories of Kirkland’s wife waiting for him outside their house after he’d scored a big goal.
It was a fairytale that’s been sadly cut short, although that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s over.
“Knowing him and what he’s gone through he’s going to do everything he can to come back stronger than ever, I know you’re going to see that from him,” Huska said.
Kirkland is the second forward this season who the Flames have lost for the year. He joins Anthony Mantha, who had ACL surgery in November.
According to Huska, Mantha is back with the team and doing well in his recovery.
“(Mantha) is in our room every morning,” Huska said. “It does blow me away how quickly they get them moving around now. He’s already doing exercises and things in the gym, so he’s doing really well. Justin will be joining him shortly, unfortunately.”