HOCKEY PLAYER, Calgary Flames / National Hockey League. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he is actually living
in city of New-York. Jarome Iginla became the second Black athlete ever to win a gold medal
at the Olympic Winter Games. This occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2002 (the
first was Venetta Flowers, one week earlier, in the two-woman bobsled team, for
the US). As a member of the Team Canada hockey team, Jarome Iginla played a pivotal
role in securing the team's first gold medal in 50 years by scoring a total of
three goals in the Games, two of which were scored in the final game between
Canada and the US. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: He was first drafted in 1995, 11th overall in the Entry Draft, by the
Dallas Stars; a few months later, he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he
plays Right Wing. Known for his scoring abilities, Jarome Iginla led all NHL
rookies in the 1996-97 season with 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists); in the
1999-2000 season he reached a career high of 29 goals and 34 assists; in the
2001-2002 season, he was the only player to surpass the 50-goal mark. In 1996,
at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Boston, MA, he led Canada to the
gold medal, with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in six games, earned his
first All-Star Team honours, was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding
Forward, and was the scoring champion.
Source :
WILLIAMS, Dawn. Who’s who in black
Canada : Black success and black excellence in Canada : a contemporary directory, Toronto, University of
Toronto Press Inc., 2002, 421 p.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Outside of hockey, he supports a number of charities and works with
disadvantaged youth, encouraging them to become more involved in sports. As a
proactive representative of NHL Diversity, he often accompanies Willie O'Ree
(the first Black to play in the NHL, 1958; see: O'Ree, Willie) in
conducting hockey clinics.
OTHER: Born
of a Nigerian father and an American mother, Jarome Iginla began playing hockey
at an early age and credits his parents and grandparents with being supportive
of his interest in the sport.
HONOURS: Several
including, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Award, for most goals scored
(52), 2002; Art Ross Trophy, for most points scored (96), 2002; Lester B.
Pearson Award, voted by peers as "the League's most outstanding player," 2002; 2nd place
as MVP for Hart Trophy, 2002; NHL Player of the Week, Oct. 29, 2001,
runner-up, Calder Trophy, 1997.
HEROES/RO MODELS: Elvis Iginla & Susan Schuchard, parents; Rick & Frances Schuchard,
grandparents.