Tij Iginla, born August 1, 2006, is a Canadian-American junior ice hockey forward playing for the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Notably, Tij is considered a top prospect for the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft and impressed during the 2023–24, where he scored 47 goals and recorded 37 points across 64 games, advancing his draft prospects to a likely first-round selection.
Initially drafted ninth overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2021 WHL draft, he won the Ed Chynoweth Cup with them in his full season with them before getting traded to the Kelowna Rockets in 2023. Internationally, he has represented Canada and won a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he scored the game-winning goal in the final. With a bright future ahead, Tij Iginla is a name to watch in the NHL.
Tij Iginla's Parents
Tij Iginla is the son of hall of famer Jarome Iginla and Kara Iginla His parents started dating around while they were in eighth grade and have been together since.
Jarome is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played around 1,500 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) across the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings between 1996 to 2017. Moreover, he is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. Jerome Iginla saw the most successful seasons in Calgary as he ended up as their all-time leader in goals, points, and games played. Remarkably, Jarome was named to the NHL All-Star Game six times in his career and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020. Internationally, he won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.
Tij Iginla's Siblings
Tij Iginla has two siblings with all of them following the footsteps of their father. His brother, Joe Iginla, plays for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and has attended RINK Hockey Academy where he progressed through various levels before making it to the WHL. Notably, Joe was selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round of the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft.
His other sibling, Jade Iginla, attended Dexter Southfield School and began her hockey journey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's. She later played at Kelowna's RINK Hockey Academy before joining Brown University, where she now competes for the Brown Bears under the NCAA. She has also represented Team Canada internationally
Tij Iginla's Grandparents
Remarkably, Tij is of Nigerian descent as his grandfather, Elvis, migrated to Canada from Nigeria. His grandfather originally worked as a lawyer who changed his first name from Adekunle from Elvis after moving to Canada. On the other hand, Tij's grandmother, Susan Schuchard, is from Oregon and has worked as a massage therapist and music teacher.
However, his grandparents separated when Tij’s father Jarome was only two years old. After their separation, Elvis married another woman and has four kids with her. They are named Jason, Stephen, Theresa and Elizabeth. Jarome was raised primarily by his mother. Moreover, Tig Iginla's aunt, Theresa Iginla, also played hockey, primarily at University of Saskatchewan.
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