Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames made a long-awaited reunion this offseason when the team appointed Jarome as special advisor to the general manager. Jarome’s return to the NHL comes at a time when he and his wife Kara’s three kids’ hockey careers are ramping up. Notably, Jarome’s oldest son Tij is draft-eligible this season and has been turning scouts heads this season.
This marks the second edition of the Iginla Update. Last month I covered Jade’s start at Brown University, Tij’s WHL Player of the Week, and Joe’s WHL debut.
After a Christmas break, the kids were back in action to start the new year.
Jade Iginla
Jade, the oldest of the three has had a hot start to the new year. Brown was back in action on January 5, hosting a back-to-back against RIT. Brown won both games with Jade recording two goals in the first game and a goal and assist in the second game.
Jade and teammate Sam Broz each shared a short statement on the win after winter break.
After their back-to-back wins against RIT, Brown headed to 12th-ranked UCONN and unfortunately fell in a close game by a score of 2–1.
The win bumped UCONN up to 11th nationally while Iginla and Brown sit eighth out of 12 in their conference with an 8–10–1 overall record. Brown University’s division, the ECAC, is very competitive with seven nationally ranked teams. Yale, seventh in the ECAC and 6.5 points ahead of Brown, is the 14th and final ranked team nationally. Meanwhile, division-leading Colgate is ranked 5th nationally, sitting a staggering 29.5 points ahead of Brown.
Brown has a chance to make a run at regional playoffs and could also get into the Frozen Four as a comity selection. Five division tournament winners make the bracket while six other teams are selected by committee. It will be a push for Brown to make up a slow start but with Iginla’s scoring heating up and a competitive game against UCONN, they’re trending in the right direction.
Tij Iginla
Since Boxing Day, Tij has played eight games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. In that stretch, Tij posted two goals and five assists. The draft-eligible forward has now amassed 27 goals and 49 total points in 38 games.
Take a look at his 27th of the year, it’s pretty clear that the Iginla sniper’s release is in his blood.
The 17-year-old’s 1.28 point-per-game pace has earned him a bump in NHL Central Scouting’s draft rankings. Tij rose to 11th overall amongst North American skaters and is earning himself tons of buzz lately.
He’s not just a scorer, this pass from behind the net showcases some of Tij’s playmaking ability.
Tij is on pace for 85 points and 47 goals while Kelowna fights to maintain a playoff spot. Currently sitting in sixth overall in the Western Conference, the Rockets sit middle of the pack at 20–18.
With the WHL trade deadline come and gone, Tij is on the homestretch of his draft season and will look to stay consistent as he finishes out the season.
Joe Iginla
Joe burst into headlines last month with his WHL debut, scoring his first goal for the Edmonton Oilers Kings. With only 5 games of eligibility this season, Joe returned to RHA Kelowna U18 AAA. The team, coached by his dad Jarome, competed in the Circle K Classic after Christmas right here in Calgary.
In four round-robin games, Joe recorded only one assist but had multiple scoring chances. RHA Kelowna unfortunately fell in the semifinals while Joe recorded a goal and an assist.
On the regular season with RHA Kelowna U18 AAA, the 15-year-old is producing above-average point-per-game totals as an under-ager. With only 15 games under his belt, the right winger has recorded nine goals and 25 points.
Not too shabby.
Since we didn’t get any new clips from Joe this edition, I’ll end it by sharing this goal he scored with RHA’s U15 team last season.
It’s safe to say the kid likes to score.
A new era of Iginla
All three Iginlas have entered the second half of their seasons and don’t seem to be slowing down at all.
Stay tuned each month for an update on Jade, Tij, and Joe across their respective seasons with highlights, draft rankings and accolades.
