Iginla doesn't feel robbed of Hart Trophy, Stanley Cup: 'It's sports'
Set to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla seems to be at peace with how his NHL career played out.
Iginla was one of the most dominant players of his generation and amassed an impressive collection of awards and accomplishments. A six-time NHL All-Star, two-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, he notched 625 goals and 675 assists in 1,554 regular-season games and 68 points in 81 playoff contests.
But two of the most coveted trophies in hockey - the Hart Trophy and the Stanley Cup - slipped right through his fingers. Asked if he feels robbed of either, Iginla had a simple answer.
"No, it's sports," the 44-year-old said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis.
"I wasn't (robbed). With the Hart Trophy, I would have loved to have won it. It's an opinion. When I saw how close it was, that I was tied (with Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore), I was still thrilled to be there. What an honor."
Theodore and Iginla tied in Hart voting in 2002 with 434 points apiece. Iginla had produced one of the most dominant seasons of his career in 2001-02, leading the NHL with 52 goals and 96 points in the height of the dead puck era. He won the goal-scoring race by 11 tallies, with Bill Guerin, Glen Murray, and Mats Sundin tying for second with 41.
Theodore ultimately claimed the award because he received 26 first-place votes to Iginla's 23.
Iginla also came within inches of winning the Stanley Cup with the Flames in 2004. Holding a 3-2 series lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary appeared to score the go-ahead goal late in Game 6, but the referees deemed that the puck didn't cross the goal line. The Lightning went on to win in double-overtime before taking the series in seven games.
"The Stanley Cup obviously hurt more," Iginla said. "That was a stinger."
Despite coming narrowly close to both accolades, he prefers to reflect on everything he did accomplish during his illustrious 21-year career.
"To play until I was 39 and play on Team Canada with players like (Steve) Yzerman, (Mario) Lemieux, (Joe) Sakic, (Sidney) Crosby ... it was so cool," Iginla said. "So, I don't feel like I was robbed at all. I never think that way."
He added: "I got lots of good bounces in different ways and in games, and we won championships. Memorial Cups and World Juniors. I got to throw my gloves in the air like I was 10 years old again. There are so many things to reflect on and be thankful for, and that is sport."
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