One of my favorite hockey players over the last 20 years has been Jarome Iginla. Even though he has been a thorn in the side of my favorite team, the Detroit Red Wings, I have admired the combination of skill and toughness that Iginla has displayed over his long and illustrious career in the National Hockey League. He has always exuded strong leadership qualities on the teams he has played on.

He Shoots, He Scores!

This past summer, Iginla retired from the NHL after a 20-year playing career. He announced his retirement at the Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome, where he spent the first 16 years of his career, playing for the Flames.

He grew up in Alberta (St. Albert). As a kid playing minor hockey, Jarome would travel to Calgary to play in hockey tournaments. He would dream of playing one day for the Flames. He was drafted in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. But before he played one game for Dallas, he was traded to Calgary. He went on to play over 1,200 games for them. He is the Flames all-time leader in goals (525), points (1095) and games played (1219).

In addition to Calgary, Jarome played for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles. He finished his NHL career with a total of 625 goals and 675 assists for a total of 1300 points. He will certainly be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in the near future.

Jarome describes his NHL career as a fun adventure for his family and him. He has not only enjoyed his 20 years in Pro Hockey, but he has also enjoyed a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. His mother was Buddhist and his father was raised Muslim, but became a Christian later on. His father was a big influence on him in his hockey career and in his faith.

A Troubling Question, A Life-Changing Answer

When Jarome was a youth, one of his best friends asked him: “What do you think happens when we die? Is it just black? Is it nothing? What do you think?” At the time, Iginla didn’t know how to answer his friend with confidence. But he tried to assure his friend by saying: “Oh, don’t worry, God will take care of us”. But deep down the question kind of scared Jarome and left an empty feeling in his stomach.

Jarome said: “This feeling of fear was there for some time, until I went to my dad and asked him for help. He said to me, “Why don’t you ask Jesus to come into your life and to forgive you of your sins.? He can take that feeling away.” So that is what he did and Jarome testifies that to this day “the feeling in my stomach hasn’t come back”.

This testimony of Jarome reminds me of Hebrews 2:14,15 where it says: “Since the children have flesh and blood, (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” The assurance of forgiveness of sins through Christ’s death, and the hope of eternal life through Christ’s resurrection, set Jarome free of his fear of death. This is a big part of the Christian Gospel.

Jarome shared on a Christian television show about Jesus and shared this conviction: “I believe Jesus died for us, and I believe He’s there for us and we can lean on Him. And I do.” Leaning on Jesus has enabled Jarome to play consistent quality hockey for 20 years, and to be a man that young kids can look up to as a model of integrity and servant leadership.

QOTD: Have you taken the step of faith to lean on Jesus for your deepest questions and needs?