Justin Kirkland - Photo Courtesy of WHL.ca

Fantasy Summary

Likely depth player if he gets to the NHL.


Observations

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July 2022 – Kirkland signed a one year, two way contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He found his offensive game this past season as he scored 25 goals, more than his last three seasons combined. Although he has not been able to crack an NHL roster as of yet, perhaps this is the year that he gets that opportunity if he continues to display offensive prowess. Chris Fekete

May 2022 – Kirkland is an older prospects at 25 (turning 26 in August) and although he is coming off his best AHL season to date with Stockton, 25 goals plus 23 assists in 66 games, he is likely to be more of an AHL player or play overseas. If he does make it to the NHL, his role would be of that of a bottom-line player but it is more likely he stays in the AHL or heads overseas. Chris Fekete

 

Oct 2020 – The former third-round pick of NJ fit in quite well with the blend of forwards in Stockton this season. He ended up providing quality minutes and providing that grinding role that was much needed. New one-year, two-way deal for him. Joel Henderson

 

July 2019 – Kirkland has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flames.  Jokke Nevalainen

 

June 2019 – Kirkland did not get a qualifying offer from the Predators which means he becomes an unrestricted free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

 

January 2018 – After a strong finish to the 2016/2017 season, Justin Kirkland has been unable to find his game this season. The former Kelowna Rockets sniper has yet to score and has six points with the Milwaukee Admirals. Listed as both left and right wing, Kirkland has found himself centering the Admirals fourth line for the majority of the season. Kirkland has the frame to be a prototypical power forward in the NHL. He is a good skater and is a force in front of the net and in the corners. His puck skills are still developing, and he will continue to develop these skills with Milwaukee.  Tyler Halsey

 

February 2017 – Justin Kirkland had 0.85 points per game in the WHL, over the span of three seasons. He is playing his first season with the Milwaukee Admirals. Kirkland’s scoring has seen a small dip, twelve points in 40 games, with the Admirals this season. The first point with the Admirals didn’t come easy for Kirkland, but when he scored that goal, you can see the relief in him and how happy his teammates were for him.

The 20-years old Camrose native has a big frame to build around his game as a more physical winger. He would compliment the smaller skill forwards, in the Nashville pipeline. The dual eligible center-winger has been up and down the lines, in different roles, but continues to look more comfortable as he continues to transition his game to the next level. Niko Salminen

 

June 2014 – The Nashville Predators selected Justin Kirkland 62nd overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

 

June 2014 – In his first full WHL season with the Kelowna Rockets, Justin Kirkland posted great rookie numbers finding the back of the 17 times and tallying 48 points along the way. Kirkland is an intelligent north-south winger who has shown promising progression. His defensive awareness is good making him a worthy second round investment for a team looking for a potential high reward power forward. Brendan Ross

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 4.0
NHL Certainty 3.0
Country CAN
Position LW
Roster Type Free Agent, Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth August 2, 1996
Height 6‘3”
Weight 183 lbs
Drafted 2014 Round 3; Overall: 162

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2009-2010 Camrose Red Wings U15 AAAAEHL U1532 5 27 42|        
 2010-2011 Camrose Red Wings U15 AAAAEHL U1533 18 2240 46|        
  Team Northeast Alberta Cup4 1 34 0|        
 2011-2012 Notre Dame Argos U18 AAASMAAAHL43 13 2235 26|Playoffs8 5 49
  Kelowna RocketsWHL6 0 11 0|        
 2012-2013 Notre Dame Argos U18 AAASMAAAHL44 25 2449 42|Playoffs3 0 22
  Notre Dame HoundsSJHL1 0 00 0|        
  Kelowna RocketsWHL6 2 02 6|Playoffs6 0 11
 2013-2014 Kelowna RocketsWHL68 17 3148 40|Playoffs14 5 510 20 
 2014-2015 Kelowna RocketsWHL50 21 3051 25|Playoffs9 3 25
  Kelowna RocketsMemorial Cup5 2 35 0|        
 2015-2016 Kelowna RocketsWHL69 31 3667 69|Playoffs18 11 415 15 
 2016-2017 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL56 9 1221 34|Playoffs3 0 22
  Cincinnati CyclonesECHL4 1 12 2|        
 2017-2018 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL67 7 1118 19|        
 2018-2019 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL75 9 2130 58|Playoffs5 1 34
 2019-2020 Stockton HeatAHL53 6 2228 44|        
 2020-2021 Stockton HeatAHL16 2 57 16|        
 2021-2022 Stockton HeatAHL66 25 2348 75|Playoffs13 7 512 14 
 2022-2023 Anaheim DucksNHL7 0 00 0|        
  San Diego GullsAHL32 9 918 16|        
 2023-2024 Arizona CoyotesNHL2 0 00 0|        
  Tucson RoadrunnersAHL40 6 2127 23|        

Highlights