Utah's first NHL draft pick is trying to follow in Hall of Fame footsteps.
The Utah Hockey Club may not have an official mascot or even a permanent color scheme, but now, it has its first draft pick.
Utah, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, made 17-year-old Kelowna, Canada, forward Tij Iginla — son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla — the sixth pick in the 2024 draft and the first selection in franchise history after it relocated from Tempe ahead of the upcoming season.
The elder Iginla played for 21 seasons, leading the NHL in points once (2002) and goals twice (2002, 2004). The younger Iginla, who comes from the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, was one of the draft’s top prospects and recently helped lead Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IHHL U18 World Championships in Finland.
Many expected Iginla — who is believed to be the first second-generation Black player in NHL history — would land with the Calgary Flames, with whom his father played 17 seasons, almost the entirety of his career. However, the Flames chose not to trade up for Iginla despite having the opportunity to do so.
NHL fans were thrilled to see Tij follow in Jarome’s footsteps on Friday night.
TIJ IGINLA TO THE UTAH HOCKEY CLUB
What a moment between Tij and Jarome Iginla
pic.twitter.com/VIsPb88Gnj
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2024
The first draft pick in Utah HC history. .. Tij Iginla. pic.twitter.com/IzJsWmHSeh
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 28, 2024
Utah doing their best to endear me to the franchise by selecting Tij Iginla with their first draft pick in franchise history
— Sara 'buckets' Civian (@SaraCivian) June 28, 2024
Tij Iginla becomes the first player to ever be drafted by the Utah Hockey Club.
Bout to be their most sold jersey too!
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) June 28, 2024
Sorry #Flames fans, Utah has selected Tij Iginla.
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) June 28, 2024
History made.
Welcome to the team Tij Iginla! #UtahHC #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/h4iXZwMcDN
— Tiffanee With Two E’s (@tiffanee_dawn) June 29, 2024
Shane Doan and Jarome Iginla played two seasons together in Kamloops of the WHL.
Now their sons will play together in Utah.
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 28, 2024
