They started arriving en masse more than two hours before Saturday’s ceremony to honour Jarome Iginla and didn’t stop until the last of some 500 autographs were signed by St. Albert’s hockey star.
The majority of the 600 in attendance were wearing the bright-red colours of the Calgary Flames and Team Canada as the City of St. Albert hosted the Olympic gold medal celebration on a crowded Mission diamond.
A gushing middle-aged woman decked out in a Flames’ jersey left work three hours early so she could see Iginla in person. With her nervous-looking husband in tow as the photographer, she had her picture taken with the future hall of famer.
“He’s my guy,” smiled the fan, who was too shy to give her name.
Iginla arrived ahead of schedule for the afternoon function and was immediately surrounded by thrilled youngsters and awestruck adults. For more than 30 minutes before the ceremony got under way, he patiently posed for pictures and even held some babies for the cameras.
“There are so many people here, especially young hockey players. I’ve talked to a few of them and just listening to them definitely brings back memories how much fun I had at their age playing hockey here in St. Albert,” Iginla said. “It makes me feel fortunate that I’m doing it now for a living.”
The big drawing card was Iginla’s gold medal and there was no shortage of admirers who got to touch or be photographed with the shiny piece of Olympic excellence.
“Everybody wants to see it,” Iginla said.
After the presentation of the city’s gift to Iginla by Mayor Nolan Crouse, the two-time winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer was greeted by a conga line of autograph seekers for what was originally scheduled to be an hour-long signing session for youths under the age of 18.
Among the first in line was seven-year-old Seeraj Halabi, in his Flames’ jersey with Iginla’s name and number on the back
“He is my favourite player on the team,” said Halabi, while clutching his prized Iginla autograph. “He is a good hockey player and he scores lots of goals.”
Ryan Gonczy also waited patiently in line with his wife, Alicia, so their 13-month-old son, Rylan, could score Iginla’s autograph.
“Honestly, it meant a lot just being able to meet Iginla and talk to him. It was amazing,” Gonczy, 26. “He is just a great guy. You look at so many athletes and you get such a sense of arrogance but he is not like that. I remember it was Christmas Eve in 2008 and we went to Safeway and we actually saw him there and just the way he was talking to the people who worked there, like the guy who bagged his groceries, he was so nice and he had this smile on his face. I love his personality and he is one of the reasons why I like the Flames so much.”
Flames fanatic Rob Edwards made the trip from Calgary with wife Chantelle, their four-year-old daughter Emma and his parents to meet the pride of St. Albert in person.
“Jarome is my favourite Flame and I’ve been a Flames fan my whole life. He is my God too,” boasted Edwards, 30, who has the Flames’ crest tattooed above his heart and wears a Flames ring that’s larger than his wedding ring.
“This morning we were at St. Albert Centre at Smitty’s and we’re having breakfast when Jarome walked in. He sat right behind us having breakfast and it was pretty cool. After we left we waited for him to come out and we asked if we could get photographs with him. He gladly obliged and it was awesome.”
Saturday’s special event was the latest in a long line of accolades recognizing Iginla’s accomplishments. Entering his 14th NHL season, all with the Flames, he is the franchise leader in games played (1,024), goals (441) and points (920), and is second in assists (479, behind Al MacInnis’ 609).
In 2009/10 the all-star right-winger scored 32 goals, marking the ninth season in a row he surpassed 30 or more goals. He was also the Flames’ top point producer for the ninth straight year, with 69 in 82 games.
The Olympic gold medal was also the second of his career in three trips to the winter games with Team Canada.
“That definitely ranks right at the top,” said Iginla, the Flames captain since 2003/04.
“Another highlight was getting drafted in Edmonton [11th overall by the Dallas Stars in 1995] and to have my family and friends in the crowd,” added the 2002 Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s top scorer, with 96 points in 82 games. “Playing in my first game too, and actually making the NHL, is something you dream about as a kid and that ranks right up there too.
“But this is pretty special as well and I’m very grateful so many people came out today.”
