The Calgary Flames announced today that Jarome Iginla has returned to the Flames organization as a senior executive as Special Advisor to the General Manager. Iginla joins General Manager Craig Conroy to provide support in all areas of hockey operations.
“If we go back to when we were playing with the Flames, Jarome and I always talked about working together one day in the NHL,” Conroy said. “That day has finally come and I am thrilled to welcome him back to Calgary. Jarome brings a creative style and intelligent hockey spirit to our team mixed with a passion for the game and a desire to win the Stanley Cup.”
Conroy continued, “Our relationship goes back 20 years and includes rivals and colleagues as well as a lifelong friendship.” Although our views on the game are similar, we often challenge each other on systems and gameplay, always pushing each other to be better. I look forward to our team benefiting from his fierce competitiveness, professional experience and love of hockey. ”
Iginla’s position with the Flames will be in an advisory role regarding all areas of hockey operations as determined by the General Manager. For this year, Jarome will continue his coaching responsibilities with the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia and will support the Flames on a joint time basis.
“I am grateful to the Flames owner and Conny for the opportunity to bring my career back to the NHL,” said Iginla. “It is recognition that Kony is well-deserved as CEO and I look forward to supporting him and the team in an even more engaging way.”
Iginla was the 18th captain in Flames franchise history after earning the honor in 2003 when then-captain Conroy transferred the captaincy to him. Iginla scored 525 goals, 570 assists, and 1,095 points in 1,219 games as a member of the Flames while establishing himself as one of the best forwards of his generation. Iginla hit the 30-goal mark 11 goals – four of them were over the age of 40 and twice he hit the 50-goal mark while sporting a bright ‘C’.
“While the overall purpose of my contributions is centered on my playing career, I believe my hockey experience since my retirement will also benefit the organization,” Iginla continued. “Connie and I have a job pending for 20 years, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Drafted 11th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Iginla was acquired by the Flames on December 19, 1995. The St. Albert, AB native played his first full NHL season with the Flames in 1996-97, scoring one goal in playing his first regular season game on October 5, 1996. Iginla then earned a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and was named Calder Memorial Trophy runner-up as Rookie of the Year after leading all freshmen in scoring with 50 points.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound forward had one of his best seasons in 2001-02, winning his first Morris “Rocket” Trophy for leading the league with 52 points, while scoring 96 points that season-there. All scorers led him to win the Art Ross Trophy. Iginla’s play also earned him the recognition of his peers as a catcher for Ted Lindsay as he was voted Player of the Season.
In 2003-04, Iginla led Calgary to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in his first year with the armband, scoring 22 points (13-9-22) in 26 playoff games while leading all playoff scorers. in terms of goals. He finished the 2003-04 season with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard II Trophy as the league’s leading scorer with 41 goals and led the way off the ice as a humanitarian while winning the NHL Foundation Player Award and the King Clancy Memorial Award.
Iginla was a six-time NHL All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012) for Calgary. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (2002, 2008, 2009). Yarum leads the franchise in games played (1,219), goals (525), points (1,095), power-ups (351), power-play goals (161) and goals-winning goals (83). Iginla ranks second in Flames history in assists (570) and tied for fourth in franchise history in short goals (13) and third in hat tricks (12).
After nearly 16 seasons in his home province, the Flames traded Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 28, 2013. Jarome also played for the Boston Bruins in 2013, the Colorado Avalanche in 2014, and the Los Angeles Kings in 2016-17. His last season in the NHL. Iginla’s last game saw him score his career-high 1,300 points with an assist. Iginla finished his career with 625 goals, 675 assists for 1,300 points in 1,554 games. He finished his career ranked 15th all-time in games played (1,554), tied for 15th-most in NHL history with 625 and ninth-most game-winning goals with 101.
Iginla officially announced his retirement on July 30, 2018, after playing 20 seasons in the National Hockey League. The jersey number 12 worn by Iginla was retired by the Flames on March 2, 2019, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.
Yarom and his wife, Kara, have three children (Jade, Tej, and Joe). During his playing days in Calgary, Iginla became involved in community service, receiving the JR Bud McCaig Award (respect, civility, and compassion) and the Ralph and Sonia Scurfield Humanitarian Award (leadership and dedication to the community) twice.
