Calgary Flames forward Justin Kirkland will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.
The team announced on Tuesday that Kirkland had successfully undergone the procedure and is expected to make a full recovery. The 24-year-old suffered the injury during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12th.
Kirkland, who was acquired by the Flames in a trade with the Nashville Predators in October, had been making a strong impact on the team’s fourth line before his injury. He had recorded two goals and one assist in 11 games played.
The loss of Kirkland is a blow to the Flames, who are currently sitting in fourth place in the North Division with a record of 14-12-3. However, the team remains optimistic and is confident in their depth and ability to overcome this setback.
Head coach Geoff Ward expressed his disappointment in losing Kirkland for the season but also praised his determination and work ethic. “Justin is a hard-working player and we know he will do everything in his power to come back stronger next season,” said Ward.
Kirkland’s teammates also showed their support for him, with captain Mark Giordano stating, “We will miss him on the ice, but we know he will be with us every step of the way as we continue our push for the playoffs.”
The Flames have not yet announced a timeline for Kirkland’s return, but it is expected that he will be ready for the start of the 2021-2022 season.
In the meantime, the team will continue to focus on their upcoming games and work towards securing a spot in the playoffs. The Flames are set to face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
