Welcome to Utah Tij Iginla!!!
The scene was set when the Utah Hockey Club's management group showed up to the 2024 NHL Draft in matching suits.
GM Bill Armstrong, accompanied by owners Ashley and Ryan Smith, walks on stage and prepares to make their first-ever NHL draft selection.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman welcomes the new NHL team before turning it over to Armstrong and the Smiths. They take the mic and draft Tij Iginla with the sixth pick in the first round.
Iginla, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, now has bragging rights over his dad, as he was drafted with the sixth pick and his dad was drafted 11th in the 1995 Draft.
Iginla had 47 goals and 37 assists for 84 points in 64 games with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, which quickly pushed him up the draft ranks and landed him in the top 10.
When Utah called Iginla's name, it appeared to shock many because it was widely thought they would draft a defenseman. But they ultimately went with a skilled forward who now joins Josh Doan, Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Logan Cooley as their team's future upfront.
Welcome to Utah Tij! The fans of the club are very excited to have you be a part of the new NHL organization!