Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla (yes, that's his real name) is one of the league's most elite players. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Iginla played for the St. Albert Raiders of the AMHL and the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. In the 1995-1996 season, Iginla picked up 137 points in 63 with the Blazers, including 63 goals and 73 assists. As a result of his great play in the WHL and his reputation, he was picked in the first round (11th overall) by the Dallas Stars in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and then traded with Corey Millen to the Flames for Joe Nieuwendyk. Iginla's best season was 2001-02 when he had 96 points and 52 goal. He also won the Lester B. Pearson Award as the league's best player as voted by his peers and was a nominee for both the Hart Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Iginla was named captain of the Calgary Flames in October 2003. In the 2003-04 NHL season, he scored 41 goals, sharing the goal-scoring title with Ilya Kovalchuk and Rick Nash. Iginla has collected a number of awards, including the Rocket Richard trophy in 2002 and 2004 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2004. Iginla is one of those players that come to play every night. He is a true power forward, once recording a "Gordie Howe" hat trick (a goal, an assist and a fight) in a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A true captain that creates chances for other players through the skill and grit of his own play, Iginla is a born leader and will continue to make an impact on the Flames for years to come. He has also been a fixture on Canada's World Championship team, having played with them several times and helping them win gold in 1997, 2002 and 2004.
|
