Iginla family could join history books Friday

Team White's Tij Iginla (17) carries the puck up ice in front of Team Red's Tanner Howe (43) during the first period of the CHL top prospects hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Moncton, New Brunswick. Tij Iginla embraces his family name and the possibility of following his father Jerome's footsteps should the Calgary Flames select him in the NHL draft that opens with the first round on Friday. He's one of numerous prospects who have past NHL family ties in a group that includes Aatos Koivu, Lukas Fischer and Max Plante.(Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - Team White's Tij Iginla (17) carries the puck up ice in front of Team Red's Tanner Howe (43) during the first period of the CHL top prospects hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Moncton, New Brunswick. Tij Iginla embraces his family name and the possibility of following his father Jerome's footsteps should the Calgary Flames select him in the NHL draft that opens with the first round on Friday. He's one of numerous prospects who have past NHL family ties in a group that includes Aatos Koivu, Lukas Fischer and Max Plante.(Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP, File) The Canadian Press

With the Stanley Cup Final officially in the rear view, eyes turn to the National Hockey League draft Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas, and the Calgary Flames could make a splash.

A disclaimer: things could certainly change between now and then, but Calgary currently holds two first round selections — ninth overall and 28th overall.

Fans are starting to connect the dots because forward Tij Iginla is No. 9-ranked North American Skater. Could he hear his named called by the organization where his dad is a legend, smashed so many records, and has his name in the Saddledome rafters?

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The younger Iginla is coming off a breakout season with the Kelowna Rockets. He finished sixth in the Western Hockey League with 47 goals and tied a franchise record for goals in a single playoff series with eight.

The history books show five father-son duos selected in the top 15 of the NHL draft: Darryl and Ryan Sittler, Dave and Sam Gagner, Paul and Griffin Reinhart, Paul and Sam Reinhart, and Mike and Cole Sillinger.

We’ll see if the Iginlas make the list on Friday. Round One begins at 5 p.m. MT.

CityNews660’s sister station, Sportsnet 960 The Fan, will bring you full coverage.

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