Tij Iginla is a Canadian-American ice hockey junior player who is currently piling his trade for the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and is considered as a top prospect for the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Notably, Iginla was drafted ninth overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2021 WHL Draft and made only three appearances with them in his first season. The following season, Iginla scored his first WHL goal against the Edmonton Oil Kings and later scored five more goals en-route to an 18 point season across 48 games. That same season, the Thunderbirds won the Ed Chynoweth Cup and made it to the 2023 Memorial Cup finals. However, Iginla played only three games in the next round and was traded to the Kelowna Rockets in June 2023.
During his time in Kelowna, he initially started with a "B" rating from NHL Central Scouting but steadily improved his performance and was upgraded to an "A" prospect after scoring 13 goals and recording seven assists in his first 12 games. During the WHL playoffs later that season, he scored eight goals in the first-round series against the Wenatchee Wild, ensuring a series victory before falling short to the Prince George Cougars in the second round. Iginla scored nine goals and recorded six assists across eleven playoff games.
Tij Iginla's Ethnicity
Tij Iginla is of Nigerian descent through his grandfather Elvis Iginla. Elvis moved to Canada from Nigeria during some part of his life. Moreover, "Iginla '' means "big tree" in Yoruba.
Tij Iginla's Nationality
Tij Iginla holds dual nationality of Canada and America making him Canadian-American. Tij was born in Canada just like his father but his mother hails from America, giving him this unique privilege. However, he represents Canada on the International stage and has represented them at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where they won a silver medal and later represented them at the IIHF World U18 Championships, helping the team win a gold medal this time around.
Tij Iginla's Hometown
Tij Iginla grew up in Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada. He began his hockey journey with the Boston Jr. Eagles 13U AAA team and later progressed to the 14U team before joining RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 team and participated in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL).
Tij Iginla's Birthplace
Tij Iginla's was born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Moreover, he has a large and hockey centric family. Both his siblings are actively into the sport while their father is an NHL Hall of Famer. Their aunt also played hockey while at university.
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