186 Quotes by Jarome Iginla

I grew up here in St. Albert, which is a city just north of Edmonton, and I went to Grade 10 here at Paul Kane High School. But then I went to junior in the WHL, Western Hockey League, at age 16. So I left and went to finish school at Norkam High School in Kamloops for grades 11 and 12.

Growing up, I played hockey because I loved playing it. I didn't view myself in minor hockey as a Black hockey player, but I was also aware that I was.

I want to be shooter, be competitive, go to the net, so it has changed, but it hasn't changed that much. It's more skating than it used to be for sure.

My mom's actually a Buddhist. My dad's a Christian and he was a Muslim, but he converted to Christianity.

There was definitely no time in grades 11 and 12 to do any other sports. That was one downside; I really enjoyed playing other sports.

But once I left home to play hockey, it was a commitment to be the best I could be and try to make the NHL.

There weren't many black players when I was growing up, and I remember playing and looking up to the ones that were playing.

I always wanted to be like Mark Messier and I loved Wayne Gretzky, the same as other kids. But it was also really special for me to see the Black players that were in the NHL.

To see Grant Fuhr starring, to see Claude Vilgrain and Tony McKegney, it was very important for me to see to follow my dream.