FLAMES NAME JAROME IGINLA SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE GM

The Calgary Flames announced today that Jarome Iginla has returned to the Flames organization in an executive capacity as Special Advisor to the General Manager. Iginla joins General Manager Craig Conroy to provide support 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," said Conroy. "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.

"Our relationship goes back 20 years and includes being opponents and teammates combined with a long-standing friendship," continued Conroy. "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."

Iginla's position with the Flames will be in an advisory role regarding all areas of hockey operations as assigned by the general manager. For this year, Jarome will continue his coaching responsibilities with RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, BC and support the Flames in a shared time capacity.

"I am grateful to the Flames ownership and Conny for this opportunity to transition my career back to the NHL," said Iginla. "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."

Iginla was the 18th captain in Flames franchise history after receiving the honour in 2003 when then-captain, Conroy, passed the captaincy over to him. Iginla amassed 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 power forwards of his generation. Iginla reached the 30-goal mark 11 times - four of those surpassing 40 goals and twice reaching 50 while wearing the flaming 'C'.

"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," continued Iginla. "Conny and I have 20-year-old pending work to complete, and I can't wait to get started."

Drafted 11th overall in the 1995 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars, Iginla was acquired by the Flames on December 19, 1995. The St. Albert, AB native played in his first full NHL season with the Flames in 1996-97, scoring a goal in his first regular season game on October 5, 1996. Iginla went on to earn a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and finished as the runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year after leading all first-year players in scoring with 50 points.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound forward enjoyed one of his finest seasons in 2001-02 by winning his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for leading the league with a career-high 52 goals, while his 96 points that season also led all scorers for him to capture the Art Ross Trophy. Iginla's play also earned him the recognition of his peers as the Ted Lindsay recipient for being voted the season's most outstanding player.

In 2003-04, Iginla led Calgary to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in his first year of captaincy, posting 22 points (13-9-22) over 26 postseason games while leading all playoff scorers in goals. He closed out 2003-04 with his second Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy as the league's leading goal scorer with 41 goals and led the way off the ice as a humanitarian while also 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) in Calgary. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (2002, 2008, 2009). Jarome leads the franchise in games played (1219), goals (525), points (1095), even strength goals (351), power play goals (161), and game-winning-goals (83). Iginla stands second in Flames history in assists (570) and is tied for fourth in franchise history in short-handed goals (13) and is 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 suited up for the Boston Bruins in 2013, the Colorado Avalanche in 2014, and the Los Angeles Kings in 2016-17 marking his last season in the NHL. Iginla's final game saw him record his 1,300th point of his career 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 in goals in NHL history with 625, and ranks 9th all-time in game-winning-goals with 101.

Iginla announced his official retirement on July 30, 2018, after playing 20 seasons in the National Hockey League. The Flames retired Iginla's number 12 jersey on March 2, 2019, and he was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

Jarome and his wife Kara have three children (Jade, Tij, and Joe). During his playing days in Calgary, Iginla was committed to community service, being named the recipient of both the J.R. Bud McCaig Award (respect, courtesy, and compassion) and the Ralph and Sonia Scurfield Humanitarian Award on two occasions (leadership and dedication to the community).