Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla was honored twice this past week, adding to his impressive list of NHL accolades.
First, Iginla was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Kelly Kisio and Dave King. Reflecting on the honor, Iginla expressed his gratitude and nostalgia.
“It’s very special, an honor,” he said. “It makes me look back and think about how fast it went. It makes you feel a little older, getting closer to 50. That’s hard to believe because it feels like yesterday I was in minor hockey.”
The first honor sheds light on the reason for the second recognition he received.
In a less official, but still significant acknowledgement, Iginla was also listed by ESPN in their rundown of the top 25 NHL players of the 21st century, landing at 20th on the list. ESPN’s Kristen Shilton highlighted Iginla’s unique qualities, describing him as “the last of his kind,” a genuine power forward with a rare blend of elite skill, strength, vision, and toughness.
Aiming to highlight the best athletes from 2000 to today, his spot on the list is understandable. Though he hasn’t played since the 2016-17 season, when he suited up for both the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche, his stats from the turn of the century remain remarkable. He did most of his damage as a member of the Flames.
As per Statmuse, since 2000, Iginla scored 563 goals, ranking third in the NHL behind only Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. His 1,167 points are the seventh-most in the league during that period. He played the eighth most games and scored the third-most power play goals. He ranked third in game-winning goals and fourth in PIMs.
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Iginla also accumulated numerous awards, including two Rocket Richard Trophies, the Art Ross Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, the NHL Foundation Player Award, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award. He was also a three-time finalist for the Hart Trophy and earned multiple All-Star team selections.
Iginla’s career achievements place him among the elite in NHL history and the recognition he’s receiving by both the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame and ESPN’s ranking reflects how much of an impact he had on the game. Both honors are truly deserved.
Iginla now serves as a Special Advisor to Flames’ GM Craig Conroy. After an award-filled 16-year stint with the organization as a player, Iginla is passing on his wisdom to the younger generation.
“Obviously we’re very happy with the players that we got, lots of guys to be really excited about that are talented, that are skilled,” he noted about this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
