Flames trade Iginla to Pittsburgh

Jarome Iginla is leaving the Calgary Flames for a shot at the Stanley Cup.

Wednesday the Flames' captain since 2003/04 was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for American-born college forwards Ken Agostino and Ben Hanowski and Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick in 2013.

"It's a very difficult day and feeling right now," Iginla said at Thursday's farewell press conference. "It's hard. There is definitely mixed emotions involved with my teammates, the city and the organization. To leave is tough but I'm also very excited about the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh and play with them and have an opportunity to do some good things there."

"It's a new journey and a new challenge."

Agostino is a junior with the Yale Bulldogs and Hanowski is a senior and captain of St. Cloud State. The American-born players are playing in the NCAA's Frozen Four tournament.

The pride of St. Albert will now join forces with Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby – the NHL scoring leader with 54 points in 34 games – with whom he combined for the memorable golden goal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

"Pittsburgh is a great organization. They're really rolling and they have the two best players in the world in Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin," Iginla said. "I'm thrilled and thankful they gave me that opportunity. It will be a great experience all the way around, just to be part of their team and their locker room and to learn new things.

"I look forward to the challenges."

Pittsburgh, the top team in the Eastern Conference at 26-8, is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender that is loading up for the playoffs after acquiring forward Brendan Morrow from the Dallas Stars and defenceman Douglas Murray from the San Jose Sharks in recent trades.

"I really do want to win a Stanley Cup and I would've obviously loved to have done it in Calgary," Iginla said, who led the Flames with 13 goals and 26 points during their run to the Stanley Cup final in 2004. "I do appreciate it when the fans say I hope you go and win and I hope I do too."

Ready for any role

Iginla is ready to embrace any role Pittsburgh wants him to fill.

"I'm fine with whatever it is. The way I'm viewing it is kind of like going to a Team Canada thing or an Olympics thing where you go and the coach tells you what to do. That's the only experience I have in this type of situation so that's what I'm going to draw on and be ready to play and play hard and have fun, said the three-time Olympian and two-time gold medallist with Team Canada.

With the Flames on the verge of their fourth-straight non-playoff season, general manager Jay Feaster approached Iginla about a possible trade and the future hall-of-famer provided a short list of teams he would consent to join.

"We've had some good teams here but over the last few years I really thought we would find a way to get in (to the playoffs) and we haven't yet so I understood that and I didn't take it personal," Iginla said. "I understand why it was done. It makes sense for everyone and I wish the Flames the absolute best."

The former bantam AAA Sabre and midget AAA Raider was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche at the Saddledome and speculation was rampant he was going to be dealt to the Boston Bruins for what was believed to be defenceman Matt Bartkowski, forward Alexander Khokhlachev and Boston's first-round draft pick in 2013.

Later that night Feaster announced the face of the Flames was going to Pittsburgh.

"We as an organization owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Jarome, not only for what he did for the franchise during his tenure as player here and as our captain, but also for the fact that now we recognize that despite our best efforts, and despite the work we've put in, we've fallen short of the goals we set for ourselves as an organization," Feaster told reporters Wednesday night.

Iginla knew a deal was in the works when he woke up Wednesday morning and talked to his agent, Don Meehan.

"I was told there were a few teams that were making their pitches and it was closer," Iginla said. "I knew Pittsburgh was in the mix as well as Boston. They're both amazing cities, very successful organizations and great teams. When it came down to choose one or the other, it's really hard as a player to pass up an opportunity to play on a team with Sid and Malkin and the roll they're on and the success they've had.

"I was very fortunate that the three teams that were kind of making a pitch or proposals were interested in me. I was humbled. They're all great teams and I feel fortunate I had the choice but also at the same time it wasn't fully my choice. I wanted it to be a mutual thing, where the Flames were happy with the deal they got but also if I was going to leave here I would have the best opportunity to try and win."

Iginla is in the final year of his five-year, $35 million contract and the right winger is eligible for unrestricted free agency on his 36th birthday on July 1.

"I don't really know where I will be playing after this year," he said. "I hope to be productive for five more years. I hope to help a team win."

Franchise leader

This was Iginla's 16th NHL season in Calgary and he leaves as the all-time franchise leader in goals (525 for 32nd place all-time in the NHL), points (1,095) and games played (1,219) and is second in assists (570).

"I never would've dreamed I would play here this long. I feel very, very blessed and fortunate," said the Lorne Akins Junior High School and Paul Kane High School alumnus.

The two-time Memorial Cup champion with the Kamloops Blazers was drafted by the Dallas Stars 11th overall in 1995. He was acquired by the Flames in 1995 from Dallas in exchange for Joe Nieuwendyk.

"I was thrilled that Calgary saw something in me and I was excited to be part of the Joe Nieuwendyk trade. I took it as a huge compliment. I was very flattered," said the 2002 Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL's top point producer with 96 in 82 games. "I got a great opportunity to play here as a young guy and work through a lot of growing pains. I enjoyed the challenges here and being a go-to guy. I'm thrilled with how it worked out."

He embraced the opportunity of playing in a major Canadian market.

"The fans have been very supportive with the team and myself personally. There's great memories here. I loved playing here," said Iginla, who admitted he will miss the Battle of Alberta with the Edmonton Oilers.

During his career in Calgary, Iginla was the recipient of the 2002 Lester B. Pearson Trophy as the NHL's most outstanding player, as voted on by the members of the NHLPA, the 2004 King Clancy Award, which goes to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and the 2009 Messier Leadership Award, presented to an individual as a superior leader within their sport as a contributing member of society. He also represented the Flames at numerous all-star games and was a multiple all-star team selection.

Iginla has posted 30 or more goals in 11 straight seasons and twice registered 50 or more goals.

His last goal as a Flame at home was the 3-2 game winner March 24 against the St. Louis Blues, a great individual effort against defenceman Wade Redden to beat Jaroslav Halak in the third period for his ninth of the season.

"I will remember that goal and the crowd's reaction. It was awesome," he said. "I do appreciate that and I want to thank them. It meant a lot to myself and my family."