Jarome Iginla to announce retirement during Flames press conference

The Calgary Flames will host a press conference on July 30 when former captain Jarome Iginla will retire from the NHL, the team announced on Wednesday.

"In a sense, I grew up there,'' Iginla told George Johnson of calgaryflames.com. "I started playing for the Flames at 19 but even in minor hockey I remember traveling to Calgary for tournaments, from St. Albert, and I imagined playing in the Saddledome.

"It's been a fun adventure, for my family and I. Some great cities, great people. To be back in Alberta, though, will feel like home."

The 41-year-old was drafted 11th overall in 1995 by the Dallas Stars. But then he was traded to the Flames in a deal that sent Joe Nieuwendyk to Texas before Iginla ever stepped on the ice for the Stars.

Iginla went on to play 16 seasons with the Flames, finishing his time in Calgary as the franchise's leader in games (1,219), goals (525), points (1,095), power-play goals (161), game-winning goals (83), and more.

The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner spent the final six seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings.

Iginla finishes his career ranked 15th all-time in goals with 625, and he sits 34th on the all-time points list with 1,300.

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