Anaheim Ducks forward Justin Kirkland taken to hospital after car accident
Anaheim Ducks forward Justin Kirkland was involved in a car accident while driving to Sunday’s game against the Boston Bruins at the Honda Center, the Ducks announced Monday.
Kirkland, 26, was transported to UCI Health in nearby Orange, CA and remained there overnight. The Ducks said Kirkland remains under medical evaluation but has full mobility and is communicating with his family and teammates.
“We are thankful for the quick care and treatment Justin received from first responders and medical staff at UCI Health,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement on Monday. “Justin is in great spirits, and we hope he will be released shortly.”
Kirkland signed with the Ducks last July as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames. The 6’3″, 193-pound forward has yet to record a point in seven NHL games with the Ducks this season.
An update and statement on Ducks center Justin Kirkland, who was involved in a car accident on the way to last night's game vs. Boston.
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) January 9, 2023The Nashville Predators originally selected Kirkland in the third round (No. 62 overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. The Winnipeg, MB product skated in parts of three seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate, before joining the Flames in 2019 as a non-tendered free agent.
Kirkland proceeded to spend three years in the Flames’ developmental system, taking multiple steps forward with the Stockton Heat in the 2021–22 AHL season. He finished third on the Heat with 25 goals and fourth with 48 points in 66 games during the regular season before adding seven goals and 12 points in 13 playoff games.
On July 14, 2022, the Ducks signed Kirkland to a one-year, two-way contract carrying a $750,000 NHL cap hit. Kirkland made his NHL debut with the Ducks on December 20 and has remained on the club’s roster ever since.
The Ducks will return to action on Wednesday when they play host to the Edmonton Oilers.