Former Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla will go down as one of the greatest players in NHL history. Let’s look back on the five moments that defined his career.
Jarome Iginla, formerly of the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings, will be announcing his retirement from the NHL on July 31. He’ll go down as not just one of the greatest Canadians to play in the league, but also as one of the greatest players, period.
Iginla is a player who is universally adored by hockey fans. Even fans of the Vancouver Canucks and other rivals of the Flames have to admit his greatness. On his best days, Iginla was a player who could make an impact in a variety of ways. He could score goals, dish out hits, and was never afraid to drop the gloves.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
The former Flames captain won two goal-scoring titles (2001-02 and 2003-04) and led the NHL in points. Iginla was named to four NHL All-Star teams, notching first-team appearances in 2001-02, 2007-08, and 2008-09, along with a second-team appearance in 2003-04.
He will go down as an outstanding player and quite possibly an even better person. Iginla committed himself to charity when he wasn’t playing hockey. His passions included youth hockey, literacy, and diversity.
As a black hockey player, Iginla witnessed the struggles black players face and saw how hockey isn’t necessarily available to everyone. He did the best he could to inspire many people and make hockey a sport available to as many people as possible. Iginla was blessed with many skills and he used them to be an all-time great hockey player and help others.
The argument could be had that he’s the second-greatest goal-scorer in the post-1995 lockout era. Only Alex Ovechkin, who is easily one of the top 20 players in NHL history, can boast he’s better than him. Anytime you’re second place to a human cheat code like The Great Eight, you’re doing something right.
Let’s take a look at the defining moments of Jarome Iginla’s career.