• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Calgary Flames
Flames History

Iginla Reminisces as Flames Retire His No. 12

By The Canadian Press March 2nd, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

CALGARY — It was a nostalgic day at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday as Jarome Iginla returned to Calgary, ahead of his big night on Saturday when the Flames will retire his jersey.

In a ceremony that will begin 90 minutes prior to Calgary’s game against the Minnesota Wild, the Flames will raise No. 12 to the rafters, where it will hang beside Lanny McDonald’s No. 9 and Mike Vernon’s No. 30.

Related THW Content: Retiring Iginla’s Number Is Perfect End to Nearly Perfect Career

“It’s neat to be back,” said Iginla, 41, following a luncheon in his honour. “I will probably be a little emotional. I didn’t think I would be, but I probably will be. It’s very special and I have a lot of family and friends coming in and it means a lot.”

The longtime Flames captain announced his retirement last July after being unable to overcome hip surgery and catch on with an NHL team last season.

Jarome Iginla (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

His 20th and final season in 2016-17 was split between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. While he also spent time late in his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, it was his 16 seasons with the Flames where he made his name.

Iginla is the organization’s runaway leader in numerous categories including games (1,219), goals (525), points (1,095) and game-winning goals (83). His best season individually was 2001-02 when he won the Art Ross as the league’s leading scorer with 96 points (52 goals, 44 assists). That season, he was runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy as most valuable player, a feat he repeated in 2003-04.

Related THW Content: Calgary Flames’ 50-Goal Scorers

Iginla never did win a Stanley Cup. The closest he came was in 2003-04 when the underdog Flames pulled off three-straight series upsets to reach the final, only to lose in seven games to the favoured Tampa Bay Lightning, who forced Game 7 by winning in overtime in Game 6 in Calgary.

“When I think back on it, you’re that close. One goal, you think of one shot, you think of the (Martin Gelinas) goal that didn’t count. You think of those types of things,” Iginla said. “Obviously in the storybook, it would have been in Game 6, here in overtime, but it didn’t happen.”

That 2004 post-season is one of his most fond memories.

Jarome Iginla Flames

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames (Icon SMI)

“The energy around the building, it felt like it went up a ton,” said Iginla. “I loved the C of Red, but I also loved the Red Mile, I thought that was pretty wild how the city got into it.”

Part of what made that run so special was it came after missing the playoffs the previous seven years. The dry spell came right after Iginla’s first two NHL games in 1996, which both came in the post-season. That spring, he joined Calgary the day after his junior season ended and wearing No. 24, had a goal and an assist in Games 3 and 4 as the Flames were swept by Chicago.

Now, he’s back and preparing for a big night on Saturday.

Related THW Content: Jarome Iginla’s 5 Greatest Highlights

“When I come into the building and not much has changed in the building. It feels like it was just yesterday. Everything goes so fast,” Iginla said.

He and his wife, Kara, reside now in Boston where their three kids — Jade, 14, Tij, 12, and Joe, 10 — all play hockey. His involvement in hockey currently revolves around co-coaching his sons’ teams.

“I’m probably a little bit more intense than I thought I’d be,” Iginla said with a chuckle. “But I’m really enjoying it and I’m learning on the job.”

He confessed he was recently kicked out of a game, but he had an explanation.

Jarome Iginla

Former Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla announces his retirement from the NHL, after playing 20 seasons, at a news conference in Calgary on July 30, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

“What happened was I talked to the referee after and it was just a misunderstanding of what you’re able to get away with compared to what NHL referees will let you debate, and in minor hockey, you’re not supposed to say anything,” he said while smiling. “It only happened once and there were no swears, no cursing, I don’t even think I was yelling.”

Iginla is excited to be able to share his big day with his children.

“My kids are right in the heart of truly loving minor hockey and it’s really neat to come back so soon after (his retirement) and see so many familiar faces all the way around. It makes it that much more special.”

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press

  • Tags
  • Jarome Iginla
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 15th 8:45 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Need to Address These 5 Upcoming Free Agents

Jan 15th 8:35 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

Today in Hockey History: Jan 15

Jan 14th 6:20 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Season Opener: Sights & Sounds in an Empty Wells Fargo Center

Jan 14th 6:10 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Look to End Nine-Year Playoff Drought in 2020-21

Jan 14th 6:00 PM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Prospects Reveal Potential at 2021 World Juniors

Jan 14th 5:50 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Kraken Expansion Draft Spotlight: Penguins vs. Flyers, Capitals vs. Sabres

Jan 14th 5:40 PM
New Jersey Devils

A New Era of Devils Hockey Begins

Jan 14th 5:30 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Ready to Ride with 5 Defensemen

Jan 14th 5:20 PM
Advanced Stats

Panthers Could Have NHL’s Best Pairing in Weegar & Ekblad

Jan 14th 5:10 PM
Editor's Choice

Maple Leafs’ Wayne Simmonds Sparks Team

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information