Jarome and Tij Iginla Photo: Contributed

By Regan Bartel

Hall of famer watches Rockets hockey

Iggy name lives on: Jarome Iginla on Tij, hockey, and legacy

Sep 17, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The nickname ‘Iggy’ has been a fixture in Canadian hockey circles for decades, but for Jarome Iginla, it was not always one he embraced.

“I didn’t like it at first,” Iginla said when RocketFAN asked him about how he got the nickname. “It was actually Ryan Huska who gave it to me. I played junior hockey with the Kamloops Blazers, and I roomed with him. He started calling me ‘Iggy’ and I didn’t like it at first because to me, it sounded like ‘eggy,’ like ‘egg.’ Every time he said it, it was like ‘eggy’, and I didn’t love it. But you know how it is in hockey… as soon as I said I didn’t like it, they definitely started calling me that.”

From Kamloops to the Calgary Flames and the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame, the name stuck. Now, the next generation is carrying it forward. Jarome’s son, Tij, is a 19-year-old forward with the Kelowna Rockets, and yes, he gets called ‘Iggy’ too.

“I love the game, but when you think of nicknames in hockey, there are not many new ones,” Jarome said. “My daughter is called ‘Iggy’. Nicknames are so common in hockey. Sometimes we do not know who someone is talking about if we are both there.”

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The Iginla name is woven into WHL history, with Jarome’s junior days in Kamloops offering a glimpse of the traits that made him a leader. He shared a room with Huska, now head coach of the Calgary Flames, and learned quickly what kind of group he had joined.

“Husk was a leader then. He was an assistant captain, but he has a great sense of humor. He works hard, competes, more of a meat and potatoes player when he played. Every practice was competitive. Darcy Tucker was like that too. And I played with Shane Doan. I was very blessed to be part of that group and learn from them.”

When asked whether he could see Huska’s coaching future back then, Jarome reflected:

“No, I did not, but looking back, it makes total sense. He was a leader. He liked to explain things. You could see he studied the game and coaches loved him. I will bet he was a coach’s favorite everywhere he went because he knew every drill, he was first in line, always focused. Guys respected him and his leadership.”

Jarome also recalled his early years with Don Hay, now an associate coach with the Rockets.

“I had him at 16 and 17, and we won the Cup both of those years. He was intense. He definitely helped me learn how to become a power forward. Finishing checks, how to hit, how to get in people’s faces and be more competitive and aggressive.”

From Old Memorial to Prospera Place

Jarome remembers his first trips into Kelowna, back when the Rockets played at the old Memorial Arena.

“It was really cool when that rivalry started. The first year when Tacoma moved to Kelowna, they would pack the little rink. The boards were a different height and they were hard. We had some great battles in there and lots of fights. It was a really cool atmosphere. Way better rink now, obviously, but those were tough games and I loved it.”

Junior hockey in the mid-1990s was a rough and tumble place.

“Junior was intimidating when you are 16 and you go from minor hockey. There were lots of fights in those rinks and the crowd loved it. They were right on top of you. As a player, it was scary, exciting, fun, all of the above, with the adrenaline. But as a parent now, I think it is great that it is safer.”

A Hockey Dad’s Perspective

Now, Jarome Iginla is on the other side of the glass, watching Tij build his own path. What stands out to him most is his son’s work ethic.

“He just gets into things. He has watched ‘The Last Dance’ over 10 or 15 times. He likes that stuff. He reads up on those guys and watches them. They are obviously great examples to see. They talk about work ethic in practice and all those things. Maybe that has something to do with it, but it is fun. He is competitive.”

As for comparisons between father and son, Jarome pointed out their differences.

“He is probably a better skater than I was,” he admitted. “I liked being in front of the net more, tips, rebounds, scoring five hole in tight. He probably scores more from range. I was more of a winger, and he likes playing a bit of center and wing.”

The family has already made history. Jarome was drafted 11th overall in 1995, Tij a first round pick of the Utah Hockey Club, and younger brother Joe is projected as a first rounder next year.

“I remember my draft year and I was stressed out,” Jarome added. “It is hard on these guys. As parents, Karen and I wanted them to relax and focus on enjoying the game, but it is easier said than done.”

Health, Pressure, and What’s Ahead

Tij’s development has not come without hurdles. Double hip surgery and ankle surgery tested him and his family.

“At first, you are nervous to hear it, but when the doctor explains it, it is pretty simple at this age,” Jarome explained. “The doctor said it should never be an issue again. It was a trying year. It was tough for him. He worked hard to get back, but you could see it was hard on him to be out and not playing. He definitely appreciates being healthy.”

And while the NHL dream is always in focus, the Rockets hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup gives the family another milestone to look forward to.

“From the outside, it is a very cool situation, a blessed situation,” Jarome said. “If he comes back, he gets to play for Kelowna again, a really good organization, and Memorial Cup hosts. That is pretty awesome. You practice with more of a purpose. You have a goal in mind. All year, everybody is a little more focused.”

For Tij Iginla, the legacy continues in the Rockets dressing room, and in a family that lives and breathes the game of hockey.

You can listen to the entire interview with Jarome Iginla on our first radio broadcast of the season – this Friday – on 104-7 The Lizard.