Rockets posted Dec 21, 2022 @ 10:40am by Bowen Assman

Former Kelowna Rocket Justin Kirkland makes NHL debut

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 🚨
Justin Kirkland takes his solo lap! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/7Mj9bL4Zy1
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 21, 2022

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.

<who> Photo Credit: Rockets </who> Kirkland was a mainstay on the Rockets team during their extensive postseason runs, playing in 47 games throughout four seasons, chipping in 31 points.

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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