2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward Iginla named Tempo WHL Player of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 7, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Tuesday.

This is the second time the 2024  NHL Draft-eligible centre has earned the honour this season.

Iginla led all WHL skaters with five goals and three assists for eight points and a +4 rating through four games this week.

Kelowna’s First-Round series against the Wenatchee Wild was tied 1-1 entering Game 3 at Prospera Place on April 2. With the Wild up 1-0, Iginla kickstarted the comeback as his breakaway shot squeaked through the pads of the Wenatchee netminder and trickled across the goal line. Iginla added another by tapping in a slick Michael Cicek feed on a two-on-one rush as the Rockets scored five unanswered goals in a 5-1 win, taking their first lead of the series. Iginla was also named second star of the game.

In Game 4, Iginla received a breakout pass from standout rookie Hiroki Gojsic and turned on the jets to breeze past the Wild defender and snap a shot past Daniel Hauser for his fourth of the series and the eventual game-winning goal.

In perhaps his most dramatic play of the series, Iginla found the game-tying-goal with just 45 seconds remaining in Game 5 south of the border. Though Wenatchee would force Game 6 with an overtime tally from Stephen Arp, Iginla still finished with a goal and an assist.

With a chance to eliminate Wenatchee on home ice, the 6-foot, 186-pound forward earned a secondary assist on alternate captain Andrew Cristall’s game-opening tally. He’d find the back of the net himself in the middle frame with Cicek again finding him in the perfect spot. Iginla’s eighth postseason goal tied the Rockets’ franchise record for most goals in a playoff series. Iginla capped off his night by stealing the puck from an enemy player in front of the Wenatchee net and dishing a no-look pass to Andrew Cristall for the series-clinching goal. Kelowna would go on to a 4-1 win to eliminate the Wild.

Iginla’s eight goals have him sitting first in goals scored in the playoffs and second in points with 11.

NHL Central Scouting has the clutch forward ranked 11th among North American Skaters ahead of June’s NHL draft.

Kelowna will now face Prince George in a B.C. Division showdown in Round Two.

Game 1 between the Rockets and Cougars is set for Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. PST at the CN Centre.

 

2023-24 Tempo WHL Player of the Week

April 1, 2024: Briley Wood, Wenatchee Wild

March 25, 2024: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)

March 18, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars

March 11, 2024: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)

March 4, 2024: Jordan Keller, Kamloops Blazers

February 26, 2024: Riley Heidt, Prince George Cougars (Minnesota Wild)

February 20, 2024: Graham Sward, Wenatchee Wild (Nashville Predators)

February 12, 2024: Emmitt Finnie, Kamloops Blazers (Detroit Red Wings)

February 5, 2024: Egor Sidorov, Saskatoon Blades (Anaheim Ducks)

January 29, 2024: Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary Hitmen

January 22, 2024: Luca Cagnoni, Portland Winterhawks (San Jose Sharks)

January 15, 2024: Matthew Savoie, Moose Jaw Warriors (Buffalo Sabres)

January 8, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers

January 2, 2024: Chase Bertholet, Spokane Chiefs

December 18, 2023: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets

December 11, 2023: Dominik Rymon, Everett Silvertips

December 4, 2023: Conor Geekie, Wenatchee Wild (Arizona Coyotes)

November 27, 2023: Andrew Basha, Medicine Hat Tigers

November 20, 2023: Koehn Ziemmer, Prince George Cougars (Los Angeles Kings)

November 13, 2023: Gabe Klassen, Portland Winterhawks

November 6, 2023: Trevor Wong, Saskatoon Blades

October 30, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)

October 23, 2023: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)

October 16, 2023: Ryder Ritchie, Prince Albert Raiders

October 10, 2023: Easton Armstrong, Wenatchee Wild

October 2, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)

September 25, 2023: Zac Funk, Prince George Cougars (Washington Capitals)

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

 

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