(Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

By Regan Bartel

Minutes muncher

Tij Iginla sets standard on and off the ice

Feb 10, 2026 | 6:01 AM

Some players fade under a heavy workload. Tij Iginla is not one of them. For the Kelowna Rockets, he thrives the more he is asked to play, setting a standard of endurance, focus, and leadership every time he steps on the ice.

“He drives our group,” Rockets head coach Derrick Martin said. “You’re seeing signs of more maturity from him—not that he was ever immature—but really looking at the group and going, ‘Hey, I’m here for you guys, and we’re going to get this thing together.’ That’s huge when a player of that stature buys in.”

Iginla’s presence provides stability for a lineup often forced to adapt. While other players may tire after heavy minutes, he consistently elevates his game and, in turn, elevates the team.

“He has a great VO2 max. He can play a lot and not change his game,” Martin added. “Power play, penalty kill, late in the third, overtime, he just goes. And his game does not change. That’s huge for a team that’s constantly adjusting.”

The numbers back it up. Iginla leads the WHL in points per game at 1.70, tallying 26 goals and 51 points in 30 games. Since January 17, he’s added 11 goals and seven assists in nine games. With 19 games left and 93 career goals and 186 points, he’s on pace to hit both 100 goals and 200 points by season’s end.

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But it’s not just about scoring. Iginla’s steady approach allows younger teammates to grow into expanded roles. By watching him handle each shift—calm, focused, engaged—rookies learn how to manage pressure without letting it affect their game.

“You see younger players get better by following that example,” Martin said. “You see the group grow, and it makes a difference in games, practices, and the locker room.”

The Rockets’ season hasn’t been easy. Injuries and a demanding travel schedule have created constant obstacles. Martin acknowledges the challenge of keeping the team steady when lineups are constantly changing.

“I would be lying if I said you never look at it and go, ‘You know, we’ve dressed our entire lineup for one game this season,’” he said. “And feel victimized by that. But at the same time, I look at the opportunity it’s provided a lot of players and the growth we’ve seen. That will serve us better as we go down the stretch and into the playoffs.”

Through this lens, Iginla’s endurance is both literal and figurative. He can sustain heavy ice time without faltering, and he sustains the team’s focus, morale, and confidence.

“In a long season, minutes are precious, and every shift matters,” Martin said. “Some players need rest to shine. Some players respond to a challenge by pushing harder. Then there’s Tij Iginla, a player whose impact grows the more he’s asked to play, whose presence steadies a team, and whose example quietly elevates everyone around him.”

It’s a rare combination in junior hockey: talent, endurance, and character. Iginla’s influence is a reminder that leadership isn’t always measured in points, and development isn’t always about highlight reels. Sometimes, it’s about showing up every game and helping everyone around you be better.

For Kelowna, Iginla is more than a top-line forward. He’s a blueprint for handling adversity, setting standards, and leading by example.

In a season full of obstacles, his steadiness has been invaluable, the kind of presence that doesn’t just win games but shapes a team.