Hometown hero Jarome Iginla reached another milestone in a Hall of Fame career while climbing the National Hockey League’s all-time lists.
Iginla tied Jean Beliveau for 40th all-time in points at 1,219 when the Colorado Avalanche right winger redirected Gabriel Landeskog’s shot past Eddie Lack in Thursday’s 4-1 win over the Canucks in Vancouver.
Iginla’s team-leading 26th marker was also his 586th in 1,384 games for 19th place overall among the all-time goal leaders.
In his first season with Colorado, and 18th overall in the NHL, the former Calgary Flames’ captain moved from 24th to 19th in goals while passing Guy Lafleur (560), Mike Modano (561), Matts Sundin (564), Joe Nieuwendyk (564), Mike Bossy (573) and Mark Recchi (577).
He also jumped from 50th to 40th in points, surpassing Bobby Hull (1,170), Sergei Fedorov (1,179), Rob Brind’Amour (1,184), Dino Ciccarelli (1,200), Vincent Damphousse (1,205), Bernie Nicholls (1,209), Bobby Clarke (1,210), Jeremy Roenick (1,216) and Larry Murphy (1,216).
The three-time Olympian and two-time gold medallist with Team Canada is within striking distance of Jari Kurri (601) for 18th place in goals and Norm Ullman (1,229) for 39th place in points.
Iginla’s 52 points in 74 games also ranks second in team scoring.
Colorado defenceman Nick Holden is thrilled to have Iginla as a teammate.
“Jarome is from St. Albert and was kind of an idol while growing up so to be on the team with him is pretty cool,” Holden said after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Oilers in Edmonton.
Iginla recorded his 37th goal and 87th point in 93 games against the Oilers – the majority were with the Flames – with a second-period power-play tally to put Colorado on the board after falling behind 3-0 in the opening frame.
Iginla wasn’t made available to the Gazette after the game by Colorado’s communications person despite repeated requests.
Among the list of questions for Iginla included his thoughts on becoming the 47th player in NHL history to reach 1,200 points with a goal in the 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators on Jan. 30.
“I definitely feel fortunate,” Iginla said in a story posted on the team’s website. “When I started, I wouldn’t have guessed that. I just wanted to get into the league and I was so excited to be in the NHL and then you just want to stay in the league for a while. I’ve been so fortunate, blessed, to play a long time in the league and play with some great players.”
Patrick Roy, head coach and vice-president of hockey operations for Colorado, described Iginla as a class act.
“He is simply a great pro. He is taking care of himself on and off the ice. He’s ready every time he comes to the rink. I’m very impressed with him. There is a reason why he is having the success that he has had so far and he certainly deserves a lot of the credit for it,” Roy said on the team’s website.
Colorado is 17-4-2 when Iginla finds the back of the net.
The Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Lorne Akins and Paul Kane alumnus signed a three-year $16 million contract with Colorado as a free agent on his 37th birthday on Canada Day.
The two-time Memorial Cup champion with the Kamloops Blazers was coming off a 30-goal and 61-point campaign in 78 games with the Boston Bruins after splitting the 2012/13 season with Calgary and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 2002 Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s top point producer has scored 30 or more goals 12 times, potted 20 or more goals 16 times and has posted at least 50 points in 16 seasons.
Calgary’s all-time franchise leader in goals (525), points (1,095) and games played (1,219) has also amassed 37 goals and 31 assists in 81 playoff games with the Flames, Pittsburgh and Boston.
