Iginla signs pro deal with Utah

Jul 11, 2024 | 1:10 PM Pete McIntyre

An Okanagan hockey product has signed his first pro hockey deal.

Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla has inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Utah Hockey Club.

The 17-year-old from Lake Country made history in June as the first draft pick in Utah franchise history when the club took him sixth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

He’s also the highest-drafted forward in Kelowna Rockets history.

https://twitter.com/utahhockeyclub/status/1807800204734738461

The 6-foot, 192-pound forward netted 47 goals with 37 assists for 84 points and a +17 rating in 64 games in his sophomore WHL season.

Iginla will not be eligible to play in the AHL until his 20-year-old season, so he must make the NHL for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons or be returned to the Rockets.

Tij is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

He turns 18 on Aug. 1.