Gamers are remembered for quite a lot of causes within the Nationwide Hockey League. Some are remembered for the longevity of their careers in a single place and the numbers they put up, whereas some are remembered as a result of they made a legacy for themselves in a single place and completed their careers in one other.
The latter is the case for Jarome Iginla. Iginla is broadly identified across the league for his time spent with the Calgary Flames, nonetheless, whereas many memorable gamers have worn the Spoked B as a member of the Boston Bruins, it’s usually forgotten that Iginla made a huge impact in his lone season in Boston again in 2013-14.
Iginla impressed each on and off the ice all through his profession. Whereas he’s identified for being the Flames’ all-time purpose chief, in addition to their all-time factors chief, he was additionally identified for his management qualities each on and off the ice, robust goal-scoring consistency, and his skill to attach with no matter neighborhood he was enjoying in.
Whereas his profession might have come to a detailed in 2018, Iginla’s legacy won’t ever die as he was chosen to the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2020, his first 12 months on the poll.
Iginla’s Story Begins With Calgary
Iginla was drafted eleventh general by the Dallas Stars in 1995. Nonetheless, shortly after, the Stars traded Iginla and Corey Millen to Calgary for the rights to Joe Nieuwendyk. On the time, Iginla was nonetheless enjoying junior hockey for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
After the Blazers completed their season, Iginla signed a contract with the Flames and instantly joined the membership of their playoff sequence in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks. From the beginning, it was clear why the membership was so excessive on him, as he picked up an help in his first recreation and his first NHL purpose within the subsequent.
In his first full season in Calgary (1996-97), Iginla completed second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting regardless of main all rookies with 50 factors. Nonetheless, he was awarded the Artwork Ross and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies in addition to the Lester B. Pearson Award following the 2001-02 season and was nominated for the Hart Memorial and King Clancy Memorial Trophies.
Iginla started the 2003-04 season as Flames captain and led the group to the Stanley Cup Remaining for the primary time since 1989. Sadly, they fell to Tampa Bay Lightning in seven video games regardless of taking three of the primary 5 video games.
Iginla’s Departure From Calgary
In his ultimate season with the Flames, Iginla’s numbers dipped and rumors surfaced that each events have been on the lookout for a commerce. Iginla insisted he wished to remain in Calgary, and the Flames insisted they’d no intention of transferring him. Nonetheless, he did conform to waive his no-movement clause for 4 groups: the Blackhawks, Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings – the 4 most-recent Stanley Cup champions – as he was nonetheless seeking his first championship.
On March 28, 2013, Iginla was traded to the Penguins in trade for Kenny Agostino, a first-round decide, and Ben Hanowski. He solely performed 44 regular-season video games that season, however was nonetheless capable of tally 14 targets and 19 assists. Pittsburgh made it to the Jap Convention Remaining earlier than falling to the Bruins in a four-game sweep.
After the playoffs, Iginla made the primary massive free company choice of his profession and signed a one-year cope with Boston price $1.8 million.
Iginla’s Time in Boston
Iginla might have solely performed one season for the Bruins, however even at 36 years previous, he made a huge impact. He performed in 78 of their 82 regular-season video games, scoring 30 targets and aiding on 31 extra. He additionally performed in all 12 playoff video games and added seven factors to this season whole on 5 targets and two assists. That was his final 30-goal (and 60-point) season of his profession – though he got here shut with 29 targets and 59 factors the next season.
The 2013-14 season was the final time that Iginla reached the playoffs as a participant, and one of many final occasions he led a group in targets (the final got here the next season). As talked about, ti was the final time Iginla scored 30 targets in a season, a complete that was matched at by Bruins’ budding middle Patrice Bergeron.
The 2013-14 season turned out to be an excellent rebound marketing campaign for Iginla because it marked 12 out of 13 seasons the place he was capable of rack up 30-plus targets courting again to the 1999-2000 season and 14 out of 15 seasons the place he scored 25-plus.
Iginla’s Time After Boston
Iginla left for the Colorado Avalanche that offseason and performed two full seasons with the Avs, scoring 51 targets and including 55 assists, earlier than being traded to the Kings late within the 2017-18 season. Nonetheless, in his ultimate season, the place he break up time between Colorado and Los Angeles, his offensive numbers faltered – he solely mustered 27 factors (14 targets, 13 assists) in 80 video games.
Neither group made the playoffs, and Iginla determined to cling up the skates on the finish of the season. After signing a contract so he might retire with as a member of the Flames, the group retired his quantity 12 jersey within the 2019 season.
Iginla completed his profession with 1,300 factors which included 625 targets. Whereas he by no means received a Stanley Cup, he received two Olympic Gold medals (2002 in Salt Lake Metropolis and 2010 in Vancouver).
Iginla At present
Iginla is now working as a particular advisor to Flames basic supervisor (and former teammate) Craig Conroy.
Iginla has three youngsters: two sons and a daughter. His oldest son Tij was taken because the Utah Hockey Membership’s first decide in franchise historical past. His different son, Joe, performs for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL the place he was chosen within the first spherical of the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft.
Iginla’s oldest, his daughter Jade, performs for the Brown College Bears on the NCAA degree the place she is getting into her junior season. Like her father, Jade wears the “C” on her quantity 21 jersey, the reverse of her father’s quantity 12, and is one hell of a goal-scorer.
Iginla’s stint in Boston was a quick one as he solely performed for the Bruins for one season, however the numbers he put up in that one season solidified his case to be a Corridor of Fame candidate – particularly contemplating his age on the time. Whereas he might not have performed in Boston for so long as different Bruins’ greats have he made a sizeable influence within the one season he known as the TD Backyard residence.
