Iginla Legacy Continues
Calgary Flames pick Jarome Iginla's son Joe 65th overall, continuing family legacy
Key Points
Draft position discrepancies across outlets: some outlets reported Joe Iginla was selected 63rd overall, while others list 65th overall, reflecting minor variations in draft reporting.
Joe Iginla is listed at 5'10", 175 pounds, and is a right winger by position.
In 2024-25, Joe Iginla split the WHL season between Edmonton Oil Kings and Vancouver Giants, logging 61 games with nine goals and seven assists for the Oil Kings before the midseason trade.
Jade Iginla was drafted 18th overall by Hamilton in the 2026 PWHL Draft, continuing the family’s pro hockey path beyond the NHL.
NHL Central Scouting did not rank Joe Iginla among North American skaters, listing him at 200th in that group, underscoring the challenge of the draft evaluation he faced.
The Calgary Flames drafted Joe Iginla 65th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 27, making him the second son of franchise legend Jarome Iginla to hear his name called by an NHL team. Joe, a 5'10", 175-pound right winger, scored 15 goals and 31 points in 59 WHL games split between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Vancouver Giants last season. CTV News confirmed the pick as the first selection of the third round.
Jarome Iginla — Calgary's all-time leader in goals (525) and points (1,095) — now serves as a special adviser to Flames GM Craig Conroy. He was on the draft floor when his son's name was called. "As a dad, I'm just incredibly proud," Jarome said, according to Yahoo Sports. "They made this decision based on what they saw on the ice in Vancouver."
Joe's WHL Season Built the Case for Calgary
Joe Iginla started the 2025-26 WHL season with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He posted 9 goals and 7 assists in 30 games before a mid-season trade sent him to the Vancouver Giants in January 2026. With Vancouver, he shifted into a high-energy forechecking role. His combined line across both stops: 59 games, 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, and 48 penalty minutes.
Conroy made clear the pick was about more than the family name. "We didn't pick the name; we picked the player," he said, according to Head Topics. "Our scouts loved his board work and his tenacity. He doesn't quit on a puck. That's a Flames identity player."
Central Scouting Ranked Joe 200th — Flames Picked Him 65th
NHL Central Scouting listed Joe Iginla 200th among North American skaters in its final pre-draft rankings. The Flames took him at 65th. That gap is enormous by draft standards. Some analysts called it a significant reach. The Hockey News noted the pick was a "massive gamble" from a pure value standpoint, arguing Joe likely would have been available well past pick 100.
Some outlets initially reported the pick as 63rd overall — a minor error caused by confusion over compensatory picks, according to Head Topics. The official NHL number is 65th. Scouts who supported the pick pointed to Joe's "pro-level puck protection" and "relentless forechecking" as skills that don't always show up cleanly in point totals.
The Full Iginla Family Now Spans Three Pro Leagues
Joe's selection completes a remarkable week for the Iginla family. On June 8, his sister Jade was drafted 18th overall by PWHL Hamilton — one of the highest picks in that draft. Brother Tij was selected 6th overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft. Now all three siblings have been drafted by professional hockey teams. "Iginla" trended number one in Canada within 15 minutes of Joe's pick.
Joe said wearing the Flames jersey has been a lifelong goal. "To wear the Flaming C is something I've dreamed about since I was five years old watching my dad," he said in a post-draft interview with CTV News. Jarome's retired No. 12 hangs in the Scotiabank Saddledome rafters. Joe will wear a different number — and likely return to the WHL for the 2026-27 season to keep developing.
Front Office Under the Microscope After Sentimental Pick
Jarome Iginla said he left the room when Flames staff discussed drafting his son. "I stayed out of the room when they talked about Joe," he told the Calgary Herald. That detail matters — because Conroy's credibility depends on it. If Joe reaches the NHL, Conroy will be praised for trusting his scouts. If he doesn't, critics will call it a nepotism pick enabled by the family's front-office ties.
Retail analysts expect Joe Iginla jerseys to rank in the top three in Flames sales for 2026-27, even if he spends the year in juniors. Scouts say he needs to add 15 to 20 pounds of muscle to play a physical game at the pro level. The pick carries risk. But in a rebuilding year, the Flames got a feel-good moment — and a player who, by all accounts, plays like he has something to prove.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
10
Articles
40
Reach
50
