Seravalli: Calgary Flames attempted to move up to sixth overall to take Tij Iginla

The Calgary Flames made two selections on the first day of the 2024 NHL Draft, selecting blueliner Zayne Parekh at ninth overall and Russian winger Matvei Gridin at 28th overall. But according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, they discussed a possible swap of picks with Utah to move up to sixth overall…

…to select Tij Iginla.

As Seravalli noted on social media, the price was determined to be too hefty for the Flames and they didn’t move either of their first-round selections. Tij Iginla ended up being selected by Utah, ending the dream of many Flames fans of having a second generation of Iginlas with the club. (Tij’s younger brother, Joe, is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.)

 

The eldest son of Hockey Hall of Famer/Flames special advisor Jarome Iginla, Tij Iginla had a tremendous draft eligible season. After being a depth player in his 16-year-old season with the Western Hockey League’s powerhouse Seattle Thunderbirds, Tij was traded to the Kelowna Rockets and popped off for 47 goals and 84 points in 2023-24, his first real full WHL season.

By going at sixth overall, Tij gets some additional bragging rights over his dad. In Jarome’s draft year (1994-95), he had 33 goals and 71 points, and he was selected at 11th overall. Tij had more goals and points than his dad, and was drafted earlier than his dad was. Jarome did have a more successful playoffs during his draft year, though: Kamloops won the WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup that year, with Jarome being named the Memorial Cup tournament’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. (Tij’s Rockets were ousted in the second round of the WHL playoffs this season.)

There’s a bit more connective tissue with Tij going to Utah, though. He’ll be in the same organization as Josh Doan, whose dad, Shane, played in junior with Jarome in Kamloops. Hockey really is a small world.

For Flames fans that were hoping to see Tij suit up for the Flames, the good news is you can still likely watch him play in the Saddledome in 2024-25: the Rockets visit the Calgary Hitmen on March 2.