Photo credit: Troy Durrell

By Regan Bartel

Iggy reflects on successful hip surgery

Could a healthy Tij Iginla have saved the Kelowna Rockets’ season?

Mar 21, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Where would the Kelowna Rockets be this season if Tij Iginla had been healthy? 

It’s difficult to argue that a playoff spot wouldn’t have been within reach, even in the worst-case scenario, despite the departures of Andrew Cristall, Caden Price, and Marek Rocak at the trade deadline. 

Would Iginla have been the difference-maker, scoring an extra goal per game or adding an assist that could have turned a loss into a win? Rather than dwelling on what might have been, the 18-year-old is focused on recovering swiftly from hip surgery. 

“After having one hip surgery, doctors usually wait around six weeks to regain a little strength to support your full weight for when the second surgery comes around,” Iginla told RocketFAN.

The surgeries ultimately ended his season after just 21 games. In that brief time, the BC Division First Team All-Star recorded 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points.

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The first procedure took place on December 4th in Vail, Colorado, with the second surgery following on January 20th.

“Overuse was the main reason I needed it,” Iginla explained regarding the hip surgery, officially known as Femoroacetabular Hip Impingement. “Skating can put more strain on the hips compared to other sports, so over time, it wears down the joint.” 

A comparable case in the NHL is Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg, who had surgery on his right hip in the spring of 2021. This procedure is significantly different from hip resurfacing, which players like Patrick Kane, Ed Jovanoski, and Ryan Kesler underwent. While Kane and Jovanoski successfully returned to play, Kesler was unable to do so. 

“The stress on the top of the femur bone causes the body to produce extra bone to counteract it, which happened in my case,” Iginla explained with great insight into the procedure he underwent. “If the hip moves in an abnormal way, that extra bone can damage the labrum, the cartilage lining the joint. 

“The good news is the surgery is fairly routine and uncomplicated. Surgeons perform it thousands of times, so it’s a straightforward process for them, which is reassuring.” 

The success rate for players undergoing this procedure is remarkably high, with over 88% returning to their sport at a high level. 

“I was on crutches for two weeks after each surgery,” Iginla said. “I could put 50% of my weight on it right away, so I could move around. For recovery, I’m taking it day by day. They say, ‘eat the elephant one bite at a time,’ so that’s my approach, and time has passed quickly so far.” 

Iginla, a first-round NHL draft pick (6th overall) by the Utah Hockey Club in 2024, was chosen for his high hockey IQ, powerful shot, and strong skating ability. Will the surgery affect these strengths? 

“The surgery should actually improve those areas,” the 48 goal man from last season said with a grin. “The extra bone was limiting my range of motion, but now that it’s gone and I have two healthy hips, it should hopefully make me a better skater. I can’t wait to see how it feels when I get back on the ice.” 

Typically, recovery from this type of surgery takes between four and six months. If you use January 20th—the date of his second surgery— as the starting point, Iginla should be fully recovered by July 22nd. 

“I should be back on the ice in a couple of weeks,” Iginla said when asked about getting back into skating. 

“I’m not rushing it, though. At first it will be gliding and doing some edge work. I am looking forward to trying them [hips] out. I’m giving it the best chance to heal properly.” 

While focusing on his own recovery, Iginla has had to watch his team struggle this season, with 24 losses in their last 25 games. His last appearance for the Kelowna Rockets was on November 30th, a 9-1 victory over the Regina Pats, where he scored once and added four assists  

“It’s been tough. I know things haven’t gone as well as everyone hoped,” he added.

“Watching my teammates lose is hard, especially when everyone cares so much.”