Utah HC drafts Tij Iginla in first round of NHL Draft

LAS VEGAS (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Hockey Club made its historic first ever draft pick, selecting 17-year-old center Tij Iginla with the sixth overall pick in the NHL Draft Friday night at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

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The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Iginla registered 47-37-84 and was plus-17 in 64 games with Kelowna last season, leading the team in goals and ranking second in scoring. Iginla also recorded 9-6-15 in 11 playoff games.

“It’s still it’s a surreal feeling,” Iginla said. “I mean, I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Iginla is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who played 19 years in the NHL with Calgary, Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles.

“You dream of it, you don’t know how the day is going to be,” Jarome said. “Every city is a great city, but Utah, we’re excited. My wife and I got to be in a meeting with them and meet them, and they’re very nice. He’s he’s worked hard and and it’s a big day.”

The Lake Country, British Columbia native tallied 6-12-18 in 48 games with Seattle (WHL) in 2022-23 helping the club win the WHL championship. In Seattle, Iginla played alongside current Utah forward Dylan Guenther and was one of three 16-year olds to play with Seattle that season.

Over three WHL seasons with Kelowna and Seattle, Iginla recorded 53-50-103 and plus-24 in 115 career games.

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Iginla also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, tallying 6-6-12 in seven games.

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Utah HC drafts Tij Iginla in first round of NHL Draft

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