I find it amazing that almost every Flames fan has a unique and awesome Iginla story. Here’s mine:
I think it was 2010 or 2011, can’t remember for sure but it was definitely in the Brent Sutter 9th place every year era. My buddy and I were kids and decided we would make signs and bring them to the Flames/Oilers game. One said “Iginla for Prime Minister” and the other said “Iginla’s Better than Gretzky”. We went down to the glass for warmups and waited for the team to come on the ice. Back then there was a gap between the glass instead of the curve we have now, so when Iginla walked by I shouted “Jarome you’re better than Gretzky” between the glass. Iggy started laughing and when he stepped on the ice he turned to look at us and we held up the signs. He laughed again and then went on with his warmup as usual. The Flames ended up winning that game 6-0 or 6-1, and Iginla has a hat-trick. After the game we went and waited for the players to come out. When Jarome drove out we held the signs up again. He drove up to us, rolled down his window, and talked to us for a while. He didn’t agree that he was better than Gretzky but he said he appreciated the compliments. He then signed our jerseys (we didn’t even ask, he told us to give him the jerseys) and as he drove off he gave us a honk.
He was an absolute class act to me in the only time I ever met him and I will never forget that memory. I have nothing but respect for Iggy. That night he solidified his spot as my all-time favourite player. I can’t wait to be at the Dome on Saturday. I’ll be wearing my signed Iginla jersey for the second time since that night. The only other time I wore it was his return game when he was with Boston.
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