A Forever Icon

The image to the left, taken by NBC Sports, might be one of the last times we were lucky enough to see Jarome Iginla in a professional hockey uniform because Jarome Iginla officially retired today in front of friends, family, and former teammates in Calgary. He will certainly be a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame inductee when the three-year waiting period elapses after all the success he had on the ice in junior hockey, the NHL, and on the international stage. And after watching his retirement speech, I'm pretty sure he'll be in constant demand on the public speaking circuit if he chooses to do that in his retirement days.

There aren't enough words to describe how good Jarome Iginla was. I could list all his stats, but he's one of those guys who personifies the statement "he's a better person than he was a player". In saying that, I'm not going to try and write out my feelings. Instead, here is the man himself behind the podium.

Iginla holds the Calgary Flames records for games played (1219), goals (525), points (1095), even-strength goals (351), power-play goals (161), game-winning goals (83), and shots (3992). He suited up for the Flames, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Boston Bruins, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Los Angeles Kings. He twice won gold medals at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the Calder Trophy in 1997, the Lester B. Pearson Trophy in 2002, the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2002, the Art Ross Trophy in 2002, the Maurice Richard Trophy again in 2004, the King Clancy Award in 2004, and was a six-time NHL All-Star.

He was involved in charities such a KidSport. As per Eric Francis, Iginla went out of his way at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City when he met four Calgarians who were sleeping in their car while attending the Olympic hockey games. Rather than let them rough it out in their mobile accommodations, Iginla secured them a hotel room for their stay. Of the countless days he spent at schools and children's hospitals, Iginla was always game to go to one more. He legitimately shone as a superstar on the ice, but was an incredible human being off it.

Enjoy your retirement, Jarome. You'll always be one of my Canadian heroes, and I hope that the next wave of superstars come with your humility, your kindness, and your leadership.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!