When I "discovered" the NHL, I read as much as I could. I read the entire history of each team...and I read about random players who I just happened to click on, uh, randomly. I'm lucky I clicked on to Jarome Iginla. I had seen him playing a time or two- I think I only saw him play two games, because he retired at the conclusion of my first, partial season -don't remember the juxtaposition of when I read the article to when I saw him play. I consider myself fortunate that I actually got to see him play.
One thing stood out to me is that he has spent a considerable effort on diabetes research. As you may recall, I have that and it almost killed me in 2013, when I didn't know I had it. The most amazing thing? He doesn't have it, or doesn't have anyone close who has it. If the article I read is correct (never a guarantee, but I hope so) he simply read about it and wanted to try and help. That is somebody who deserves my fandom.
He was also a really, really good hockey player, the best player in Calgary history if you ask me.
Here's ten cards from my collection of him:
Now that he's retired he doesn't get many new cards anymore, unfortunately. You can see my entire collection of him here: Jarome Iginla although like pretty much everyone in my collection, not all the cards I have collected are scanned yet.
He really is a terrific person.
ReplyDeleteI agree
DeleteSounds like a good dude. Most people don't donate large sums of money to/involve themselves in things like this unless it has affected them or someone they know, so he's certainly a rarity in that regard.
ReplyDeleteThat's why that impressed me so much ..it's so incredibly rare to see.
DeleteGreat guy and amazing player. You have quite a collection going judging from these ten alone! Really love the Topps Chrome Refractor and the Red OPC Platinum parallel, great shiny cards Billy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think I'm doing well. I have enough of him I can do another post next year. And who knows where I'll be collecting wise next year? Might have even more, better cards.
DeleteNice variety of Iggy here. Definitely an all-time great and somehow not named to the NHL 100 which was a major oversight. I had a Trilogy auto way back that was a redemption replacement and it was from a nickname set so he just signed it "Iggy." Wish I'd held onto that one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, him not being on the Top 100 is a surprise to me.
DeleteI sure hope that story about him reading up on diabetes is true. If so... that's pretty darn cool. The only card of his that stands out in my mind is his 1994-95 SP rookie card. That card was kinda popular back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI have not gotten that one yet. I have very few cards from that set.
DeleteGreat story and great dude. For some reason, hockey cards seem to be at the top when it comes to designs. Those are all great looking cards.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I think they get the best designs currently.
DeleteGreat player and cards. The Blasty jerseys are my all-time favorite. Iginla is a all-time favorite of mine as well. Good post and glad he support diabetes research.
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly an interesting look, and they've brought it back this year!
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