Tij Iginla, Son of NHL Legend Jarome Iginla, Named to Canada's U18 Hockey Team

Tij Iginla, the 17-year-old son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, has been added to Canada's U18 hockey team roster for the upcoming IIHF World Under-18 Championship. The tournament will take place from April 25 to May 5, 2024 in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland.

Iginla had an outstanding season with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets, scoring 47 goals and 84 points in 64 regular season games. He added 9 goals and 15 points in 11 playoff games. The young forward's impressive performance earned him a spot on the WHL's 2023-24 B.C. Division First All-Star Team and the Kelowna Rockets' MVP award.

Heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, Iginla is ranked as the 9th best North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final pre-draft rankings. The U18 World Championship will provide him with a final opportunity to demonstrate his skills on the international stage before the draft.

Why this matters: Tij Iginla's selection to Canada's U18 team highlights the emergence of a new generation of hockey talent. As the son of a legendary NHL player, his journey will be closely watched by fans and scouts alike.

Canada, the bronze medalist in the 2023 U18 World Championship, will open the tournament against Sweden on April 24. The team will also face off against Czechia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan in the preliminary round. The semifinals are scheduled for May 4, with the bronze and gold medal games set to take place on May 5.

Iginla's addition to the 25-player roster completes the Canadian team for the tournament. "It's an honor to represent Canada and wear the maple leaf," Iginla said of his selection. "I'm excited to compete against the best players in the world in my age group and help our team bring home a gold medal."

Key Takeaways

• Tij Iginla, son of Jarome Iginla, added to Canada's U18 hockey team.
• Iginla had an outstanding season with the Kelowna Rockets, earning awards.
• Iginla ranked 9th best North American skater for 2024 NHL Draft.
• Canada to compete in 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland.
• Iginla excited to represent Canada and compete for gold medal.