Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Tij Iginla returns to Kelowna

Iggy is back

Oct 6, 2025 | 3:35 PM

Kelowna Rockets Media Release: 

The Kelowna Rockets announced today that forward Tij Iginla has been reassigned from the Utah Mammoth (NHL) and will rejoin the Rockets later this week.

Iginla, 19, attended Utah’s main training camp after being selected 6th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Lake Country, BC product appeared in multiple preseason games with the Mammoth, but sat out Utah’s preseason finale against the Sharks on Saturday due to an injury. He has now been returned to Kelowna to continue his development in the Western Hockey League.

Regan’s Take: When your junior team is hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup, it’s tough for any NHL club to resist sending a top prospect back for one more WHL season. Tij Iginla’s return gives the Rockets instant offense. We saw it in his draft year when he earned team MVP honors and came within a few goals of the 50 mark, something no Rocket had done since Justin Keller in 2005-06.

Iginla won’t just eat up big minutes; he’ll be one of the most dangerous players in the league, armed with a lethal shot and high-end playmaking ability. Expect him to skate alongside newcomer Carson Wetsch, who makes his Rockets debut Wednesday in Prince George after coming over from the Calgary Hitmen in the off-season.

The lost art of true sports storytelling

Why athlete stories should never fade

Jul 22, 2025

One call, one commitment

Luke Schenn's call, Mazden Leslie's answer

Jul 19, 2025

Is the NCAA grass really greener?

WHL's grit and grind is unmatched

Jul 10, 2025

With Iginla back for his final WHL season, the Rockets now have all nine players returned from NHL training camps – a full lineup ready to roll.

Last season, Iginla recorded 14 goals and 32 points in just 21 regular-season games with the Rockets before his year was cut short by injury. Despite the limited action, he showcased elite scoring ability and leadership, quickly emerging as one of the WHL’s most dynamic forwards. The previous season he had 47 goals and 37 assists for 84 points in 64 games.

The Rockets will head north to face the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday, October 8, before returning home to host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday, October 10 at 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place.