Photos courtesy of Madison Kirkland
He may be down temporarily, but he's far from out.
Justin Kirkland's journey through adversity has been defined by resilience.
Perseverance has always been a trait of the 28-year-old forward for the Calgary Flames. Throughout his time in hockey, Kirkland has faced bad luck and serious injuries, including a career-threatening auto accident just over two years ago.
In late November 2024, Kirkland suffered a torn ACL during a game against Columbus, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NHL season.
Up until that moment, Kirkland, skating on the fourth line, had eight points, along with three shootout tallies and a plus-6 rating.
“This was my first real opportunity where I was getting settled into the NHL and making an impact,” he told NHLPA.com. “It’s a sample size of 21 games, but I know I can do that for a full season. My mindset is that I have five or six months to get ready for training camp. I want to come back and show that I am fully capable of playing in the NHL and being an impact player.”
Getting back on the ice and a return to action has been the epitome of a team effort.
Kirkland has found strength in many others, including his wife, Madison.
“He's had to fight,” said Madison. “He's beyond determined, and I am determined to support him in every way I can. From surgery day to now, it's constant work. He is unbelievably determined physically, so l take a lot of pride in helping him mentally.”
Kirkland admits that the mental side of recovery has been the toughest part.
“It can be a challenge,” said Kirkland, who was taken 62nd overall by Nashville in the 2014 NHL Draft. “There are a lot of ups and downs, but the biggest lesson I have learned with the injuries is to be open and honest with the people I am closest to. Not every day is going to feel great and not every day is going to be the best one. If I am having a bad day and I am not in the best mental space, it is okay to share that.”
Madison fully encourages Justin to open up in those tough moments.
“I think, unfortunately, men can have a hard time admitting when they're struggling mentally, so l have always encouraged Justin to be open about where he's at mentally,” added Madison. “I try to be a stability for him mentally, whether that's helping lift him up when he's having a tough day mentally or being there for him, encouraging him to open up – a problem shared is a problem halved. I'll take it head on and we'll get through it together.”
Just like the couple did in the aftermath of the horrific car accident that nearly took Kirkland’s life in early January of 2023.
On his way to a game with the Anaheim Ducks, Kirkland’s truck collided with an SUV and veered across multiple lanes before crashing into a median. Doctors shared that a bone just two millimeters away from his brain could have left him either brain-dead or paralyzed. Surviving the accident was a miracle, and returning to hockey seemed uncertain.
Kirkland returned to the ice three months later and was soon waived by the Ducks. He then signed as a free agent with Calgary in July 2019.
Despite all the question marks, Madison knew her husband would be back on the ice.
“We've been together for over 1O years now. Justin was with the [Western Hockey League’s] Kelowna Rockets when we met and I remember they did a team awards event at the end of the season where Justin was given the Unsung Hero Award. And that rings so true for the person and player he is. He has never been given anything, never had opportunities handed to him – he's fought to be where he is, yet he's always been relied upon, and will always do the right thing.
“When times have been hard, and believe me, after a near-death car accident on his way to playing in Anaheim that broke his nose in 14 different places … we were thankful he survived that, let alone ever be able to play hockey again. But for him, there was no ‘if’. He was determined to play again. He was going to fight back through the AHL to get back to the NHL all over again.”
Kirkland achieved that goal.
Five years after he first signed with the Flames, he inked a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary.
Now, Kirkland, with plenty of support, will look to make his way back to the NHL once again.
He has found a kindred spirit in teammate, Anthony Mantha.
The veteran forward also tore his ACL in November, three weeks before Kirkland suffered the same fate.
“You don’t want to see anyone else hurt, but Anthony and I have been able to go through this process together, which has been a saving grace, to have one another and talk about how we are doing mentally and where we are at. We also have each other to push one another when we are in the gym, so having him has been a key part of the rehab.”
To break up the monotony of rehab, Kirkland and Mantha recently visited the Alberta Children’s Hospital’s mental health unit, where they played video games with young patients.
“It can feel like Groundhog Day because you are doing the same thing over and over, so finding a way to break that up, whether it is getting out in the community, finding different dinner spots, getting together with Anthony and his wife – a change of scenery is key for all this,” said Kirkland.
But there are still difficult moments to navigate.
Having to be a fan rather than a participant as the Flames battle for a playoff spot is one of the toughest.
“It can be hard some nights, but it has been fun to cheer them along,” said Kirkland. “When the guys are home, it is great to see them. Unfortunately, I am on different schedule than they are with game day and practices, but to chat with them – they are a great group of guys who are very supportive. Talking to our trainers – we have great people on the team.
“It’s an exciting time for the team to be in the middle of a playoff race, so getting to watch the games is exciting, but it is also hard because I don’t want to be watching from a couch or chair, I want to be out there doing anything I can to help the team win.”
In those moments, Kirkland turns to those who comprise his inner circle.
“The rehab process, not being able to play, not being around the team all the time – my wife, my parents and my friends are always there to lift me up. Coming home, being able to talk to Madison, sharing how the day was and how I am doing, mentally, I am fortunate to have that. But we are on the right track.”
Madison will continue to help him stay the course.
“As a human, Justin is quite simply every good word. Add that to this incredible person living out his childhood dream, knowing how hard he has fought and will always fight to be here… it is magical to watch. He's the easiest guy in the world to root for.”
A guy who is down, but not out.
