IGINLA’S RETURN A SPECIAL ONE
Flames goalie Chad Johnson grew up idolizing star in town with Avalanche
Several of the most memorable moments of Chad Johnson’s life have come courtesy of Jarome Iginla.
Growing up in southeast Calgary’s Deer Ridge, Johnson idolized Iginla and his hometown Flames long before he ever dreamed of meeting No. 12.
However, when Johnson and his twin brother Curtis were invited to the Saddledome for a newspaper article on the 14-yearold bantam triple-A stars, a chance meet-and-greet with Iginla produced so much more than just a photo the family still chuckles over today.
“I remember how excited they were to get that opportunity,” recalls Johnson’s mother Karen. “Just the look on their faces — it was the ultimate, just being able to be beside an NHL player.”
Adds sister Ashley, with the sort of playful dig siblings are so good at: “There’s at least a half a can of hairspray used in that picture — and not by Jarome.”
Armed then with the confidence he’d one day return to the Dome as an NHLer, little did Johnson know he’d eventually suit up alongside Iginla with the Boston Bruins.
However, long before then Iginla teamed up with Miikka Kiprusoff to give rise to a Red Mile celebration in 2004 Johnson marched in several times as an 18-year-old.
“To be honest, that changed the city,” said Johnson of the euphoric 17th Ave. celebrations that caught the attention of the nation. “The whole restaurant and bar industry down there changed downtown Calgary, I feel. So much fun. I remember the whole city honking every time Calgary scored. It was a team that wasn’t highly touted but they found a way. Kipper was solid and Jarome was the whole package. He scored so many big goals with that patented onetimer of his.
“For some reason, the one thing that stands out with him was someone throwing a jersey onto the ice late (in Game 7) and he tripped on it and Vancouver came down and scored.”
What stands out even more was suiting up alongside Iginla 13 years later when the Flames legend signed with a Bruins bunch Johnson was a backup with.
“That was really special for me, being from Calgary, to have that opportunity to play with him,” said the 30-year-old Flames goalie. “His first game back here in Calgary (after being traded) was special to see the ovation. It was one of those moments you really realize where you are. To think, I was a fan — and still am a fan of the Flames and Jarome and what he brought — so, to be involved in it was very cool. One of the better moments of my career.
“Every time he had a scoring chance that night people would cheer. Everybody wanted him to score.”
Which brings us to Iginla’s return with Colorado Wednesday night, which may be his final spin at the Dome. At 39, he’ll likely waive his no-trade clause with the bottom-feeding Avalanche, opening the door for a possible swap to a team the Flames might not see after the trade deadline.
With just five goals this season, he may retire at season’s end.
“As a Calgarian, I have so much respect for what he brought to this team, so I think you just want him to get the respect and cheers he deserves,” Johnson said when asked how he hoped the crowd would send him off. “I think he still has hockey left in him. He scored against us last week — he can still shoot.
“He’s a special player who had a big impact in the dressing room as well as the community and on the ice. What he brought to Calgary was irreplaceable.”
As a teammate in Boston, Johnson admired the hard work Iginla put in even as a veteran who had scored more than 500 goals already.
As a kid, he marvelled at everything else ‘Iggy’ brought as part of a career that will undoubtedly be punctuated by a Hall-of-Fame nod.
“Just the overall package he had — his grittiness,” said Johnson, echoing the sentiments of the city he calls home. “You don’t see guys who score 50 goals who fight. The willingness to stand up for his teammates. I know he wasn’t a vocal guy, but the way he competed when things weren’t going well, he brought an identity to the team.”
As tempted as he was as a teammate, Johnson never mentioned to Iginla the photo they shared when the starry-eyed Johnsons sandwiched the Flames captain.
Nor did they discuss the 2004 run.
“Never brought it up with him. I tried to play it cool as much as possible,” smiled Johnson. “I just talked to him about Calgary and where he lived.”
Is he the greatest Flames player of all-time?
“He’s 1 or 2,” said Johnson, accurately citing the different eras that separate Iginla and Lanny McDonald. “But what he brought and how consistent he was, he has just been incredible.” Every time they meet. And Johnson knows Wednesday night at the Dome will be no different.