Photo via Calgary Flames
Jarome Iginla is going back to the Calgary Flames as a Special Advisor to General Manager, Craig Conroy.
After some speculation during the Memorial Cup in Kamloops, the Flames made the announcement official Thursday. They say Iginla will support Conroy in all areas of hockey operations.
“Dating as far back as our playing days with the Flames, Jarome and I have always talked about one day working together in the NHL,” Conroy said, in a statement. “That day has finally come and I’m happy to welcome him back to Calgary.”
“Jarome provides a creative approach and smart hockey mind to our team blended with a passion for the game, and a desire to win the Stanley Cup.”
Iginla will split his time between Calgary and Kelowna this year as he will also continue in his role as Head Coach of the RINK Hockey Academy’s U15 Prep team.
“I am grateful to the Flames ownership and Conny for this opportunity to transition my career back to the NHL,” Iginla said. “It’s a very well-earned acknowledgment for Conny as general manager and I am looking forward to supporting him and the team in a more engaged capacity.”
“While the public focus of my contributions is on my playing career, I believe my hockey experiences since my retirement will also benefit the organization. Conny and I have 20-year-old pending work to complete, and I can’t wait to get started.”
IGGY IGGY IGGY!
Jarome Iginla is returning to the #Flames as the Special Advisor to the General Manager!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 15, 2023
Iginla, who took over as Flames captain from Conroy in 2003, put up 1,095 points (525 goals and 570 assists) in 1,219 games in Calgary. He then added 205 points in 335 games with Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado, and Los Angeles to end his 20-year NHL career with 1,300 points (625 goals and 675 assists) in 1,554 games.
The St. Albert, Alta. native had 12 consecutive NHL seasons with at least 30 goals, from 2000-14, excluding the lockout shortened 2012-13 season.
Iginla was also a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and again at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where he famously set up Sidney Crosby’s overtime winner in the gold medal game against the United States. He also won the IIHF World Championship in 1997, the World Juniors in 1996, and the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.
“Our relationship goes back 20 years and includes being opponents and teammates combined with a long-standing friendship,” Conroy added.
“While our views on the game are similar, we often challenged each other on systems and playing style, always pushing each other to be better. I look forward to our team benefiting from his fierce competitiveness, career experiences and love of hockey.”
A Kamloops Blazers legend, Iginla was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility as part of the Class of 2020. A two-time Memorial Cup winner with the Blazers in 1994 and 1995, Iginla finished a three-year WHL career with 229 points (102 goals and 134 assists) in 183 games.
He also won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the Western Hockley League’s most outstanding player in his final season, 1995-96.
“It’s such a great organization and hockey town. The way they help you grow as a hockey player and as a teenager it was truly amazing,” Iginla told NL Sports in 2020. “To get a chance to play with so many good young players and coaches, I don’t think I could have asked for anything more.”
Iginla will join Blazers teammate Ryan Huska, who was named Flames new head coach three days ago, on June 12.
