Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, and Frederik Frandson on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! Today we bring you our Tij Iginla Scouting Report.
One of the biggest rising draft stocks in this year’s draft class belongs to Tij Iginla. The son of Jarome Iginla has made a name for himself with a phenomenal 2023-2024 season. For the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, Iginla had 84 points in 64 games. A massive jump from the year before with the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he only had 18 points in 48 games. In the playoffs, he was equally impressive, as he had 15 points in 11 games. This form earned him a call-up to the 2024 Canadian Men’s U18 World Championship Team, where he was on fire. In the seven games he played, he had six goals and six assists. An astonishing tournament, which he crowned with the game-winning goal in the final to lead Canada to gold for the first time since 2021. Ending the season with the perfect final impression going into the draft.
Tij Iginla 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Forward — shoots Left
Born August 1st, 2006 — Lake Country, BC
Height 6’0″ — Weight 185 lbs [183 cm / 84 kg]
Skating
When watching Tij Iginla it’s very clear that he has been skating for most of his life. It’s extremely refined and abilities on his edges that are mechanically up there with the best. When skating it’s smooth and agile, as he twists and turns into open space. The first step is fast and it helps him be a great energy player on both the forecheck and backcheck. It’s also an ability that allows him to change the pace of the game against his opponents in transition. Making him deceptive as he can pounce on even the smallest opening. Away from the puck, the movements are intelligent as he sees the open ice and keeps his feet moving to get into it at all times in all three zones. This is especially useful in transition, as he finds openings for breakout passes.
The biggest improvement area within Iginla’s skating is the lack of top-end speed. When up against defenders who are moving with him, he lacks the speed to burn past them on the outside. A skill that could come with more power and muscles as he grows.
Offensive Game
Offensively there isn’t much either to complain about when it comes to Tij Iginla. It’s creative, skilled, and mature all at once. His toolkit for creating chances is extremely deep, and he makes excellent decisions quickly on the ice. Also, his shot is excellent and lightning-quick. Especially the snapshot, which he utilizes well. It’s an amazing mix between power and accuracy, with a constantly changing release point. A skill that makes it almost impossible to read for the opponent’s netminders.
The work rate and maturity are also worth mentioning as one of Iginla’s weapons. The high energy he brings allows him to be a factor in the forecheck as he gets involved right away. He moves and glides into the area where positive things happen. He can score down low from that positioning as well. However, the physicality isn’t quite strong enough yet to win the battles in front and he is currently more a perimeter player than a net-front presence.
The passing and skill with the puck is also very good. Although, he does have a slight tendency to do too much with the puck. While he has the tools to dangle into the slot, he sometimes overdoes it and gets into trouble. His strengths are when he uses his awareness to find the open lane for a pass or shot, rather than make the highlight reel goal.
Defensive Game
Iginla is a decent defensive player, although it’s limited how often he is noticeable. As a winger, this isn’t uncommon in the WHL. Most wingers in the juniors have fewer defensive responsibilities than in pro hockey, and Tij Iginla isn’t an expectation. However, he isn’t a liability in the defensive zone by any stretch. He works hard on the backcheck and has a high hockey IQ. Both allow him to be set positionally and block passes and shots from the point. He is also a breakout option, although he can get caught cheating when trying to get open for a stretch pass when the puck is loose. A habit that needs to change since it does catch him out of position too often even at the junior level.
Projection and Comparison
While some players in the draft have more skill than Iginla, not many have his balance. Furthermore, he has very strong work rates and a deep and well-developed skillset. The shot and offensive ability to dictate the flow of it is especially exciting and shows the promise of Iginla. The primary weakness is the lack of physicality and size, which both can come as he grows stronger. An area that doesn’t take much to improve, especially since his habits and determination are one of the best in the draft class. He acts and plays hockey with a mix of passion and smarts.
Based on Tij Iginla’s scouting report we have provided, there are a lot of similarities with Chris Kreider‘s game. This is not in terms of skill and ability but in terms of style, as both work hard and have a great knack for finding the net in a variety of different ways. Making Iginla a player most teams would love to have in their top six.
Main photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
