Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2021, and now he will have a say in which future players get the call.
The veteran of over 1500 NHL games will join the Hall’s selection committee, which determines which players are inducted into the prestigious club.
Iginla will be joined by Ed Olczyk as the newest member of the committee, replacing David Branch and Mike Gartner, who have both served their term limit of 15 years. In addition, Seattle Kraken GM (and former NHL star) Ron Francis was also named Chair of the Selection Committee.
“One of the things that makes the Selection Committee so strong is the regular inclusion of new voices and the opportunity for highly knowledgeable hockey people to contribute in the process of honouring excellence in our game,” said Lanny McDonald, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jarome and Ed to the committee, and thrilled that Ron, a long-time member and one of hockey’s great leaders, has agreed to serve as Chair. I would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to David and Mike for their outstanding contributions over the past several years.”
Olczyk and Iginla will begin their terms in 2025.
The @HockeyHallFame has announced Jarome Iginla and Ed Olczyk have been appointed to the Selection Committee for 2025, replacing term limited David Branch and Mike Gartner.
Ron Francis has also been appointed as chair of the Selection Committee.
Here’s the current committee: pic.twitter.com/MIXurJ8xLI
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 12, 2024
Iginla is, without a doubt, the greatest player to ever suit up for the Flames and remains an icon in the city to this day. The organization wasted no time in honouring his legacy with the team, retiring his jersey in 2019, just two years after he retired from the sport.
He ranks first in Flames franchise history in goals (525), points (1,095), and games played (1,219). Iginla also has an illustrious international career, helping Canada win Olympic gold in 2002 and 2010. He famously set up Sidney Crosby for his iconic “golden goal” against the United States at the Vancouver 2010 Games.
When it comes to knowing what it takes to be in the Hall of Fame, there may not be someone more tailored for the position than Iginla.