The first-ever draft pick in Utah Hockey Club history has signed his entry level contract. It just so happens that he is the son of NHL Legend, Jarome Iginla.

Tij Iginla was born August 1st, 2006 in British Columbia, Canada. While his father’s legacy has given him a path to follow, Tij has proved to be a quality player on his own, despite his last name.

An offensive forward with a high playmaking IQ and a sharp shot, Tij is a tall and physical left winger. He began his youth career with the Boston Jr. Eagles, but soon transitioned to competing in the Western Hockey League (WHL), one of Canada’s premier junior leagues in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). He spent two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, recording 19 points in 51 games as a 15/16 year old. In June 2023, Iginla was traded to the Kelowna Rockets. A bonus in the trade allowed him to live at home, rather than with a billet family. In the 2023-24 WHL season, Tij Iginla recorded 84 points in 64 games with the Rockets, and made a name for himself as a top prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft. He also represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, where he won gold and recorded 6 goals and 12 points in seven games.

Tij was taken 6th overall by the Utah Hockey Club. He was the first draft pick in franchise history, and signed a three-year, entry-level contract, standard for many high draft picks. There is some speculation as to wether he will return to Kelowna or play in the United States, either American Hockey League (AHL) or if he will debut in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Tij’s father is Jarome Iginla, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and a former power forward. Jarome was taken 11th overall in the 1995 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. He was traded to the Calgary Flames six months later, where he would spend 16 seasons, with 9 seasons as their captain. In his time as a Flame, Ignila collected many personal awards, including the Art Ross Trophy (2001-02), the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2003-04), the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (2008-09), the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (2001-02, 2003-04), and the Ted Lindsay Award (2001-02). Iginla was a leader in the locker room, but also an exceptional player on-ice. He holds franchise records in goals, points and games played, and was a six-time All-Star with the Flames. When the Flames began to rebuild, Iginla was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent the next six seasons with Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and the Los Angeles Kings. He retired with 1,554 games played and 1,300 points, and was inducted into the HHOF in 2020-21.

A complete player and a true leader, fans of Utah are hoping Tij is the second coming of his father.