FROM THE FARM Presented by Alberta Chicken: Joe Iginla
Edmonton, AB – Joe Iginla wasted very little time making his presence known in the Western Hockey League.
And, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise given how the Lake Country, BC product has torn up the CSSHL’s U18 Prep division this season with 39 points (16G, 23A) in just 25 games with Kelowna’s RINK Hockey Academy.
“Joe has shown a lot of positive development this season,” said Oil Kings Director of Scouting Michael Chan. “He has been very intentional about finding new and different ways to create shots and chances as the style of play he is facing at the U18 level is a lot tighter-checking than the U15 level.
“He has engaged in more net-front play and offensive zone sequences than in the past, due to the nature of the jump in age groups, while continuing to work on creating the dangerous shots and attacks he is known for against tighter gaps and more organized back-pressure.”
The Oil Kings first round pick from the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft made his WHL debut at Rogers Place on December 15 against the Swift Current Broncos and on one of his first shifts, he helped setup a goal for Marshall Finnie to etch his name for the first time on a WHL score sheet.
One game later, he flipped on the goal light himself with his first career tally late in the second period in a game against the Regina Pats. His goal ended up levelling the score in that game and setting the stage for an overtime goal from Finnie to give the Oil Kings a much-needed victory heading into their holiday break.
“While his skill level is what is obvious, it’s the mindset that Joe has brought to the rink that has allowed him to contribute immediately,” add Chan on Iginla’s ability to make a quick impact in the WHL. “He has shown great confidence in his abilities, which comes from the preparation he has put in, as well as a unique ability to ‘stay in the moment’ which has allowed him to take what is given to him and execute under pressure.”
After that, Iginla rejoined his U18 Prep team, the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, for the annual Circle-K Classic U-18 showcase tournament in Calgary where he notched three points (1G, 2A) in five tournament games.
The second-generation WHLer found his way back into the Oil Kings lineup earlier this month and again proved his abilities as a potential game breaker picking up another assist against the Red Deer Rebels on February 17 in a 3-1 Oil Kings win before really announcing his arrival on Family Day Monday with two goals against the Medicine Hat Tigers. His two goals showed the versatile kind of offensive threat he can be scoring his first by going to the net before cueing up the highlight reel for his second with a near impossible angle short-side snipe.
Make that 5 points in 4 games played for 2008-born forward Joe Iginla. Here are his two goals from today's game!🤯 pic.twitter.com/tXIOIu2w6U
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) February 20, 2024
Iginla has now played his five allotted games as an underage affiliate player but can rejoin the team following the conclusion of his minor hockey season.
“Of course it will be important for Joe to get bigger, stronger, faster and shoot more pucks in the off-season – he would be the first to tell you that is only where his work begins,” said Chan on what Iginla will be looking to do to get ready for full-time duty in the WHL. “He has walked away from his time here, with his first-person experience and discussions and teaching with our coaching and development staff, with the understanding of the importance of finer details of wall-play, one-on-one battle requirements and techniques, preparation routines.
“He is mature in his understanding that mastering those details will allow his skillset to come to life.”
