Thread by @MacfarlaneHKY

Another Iginla nice guy 🧵
Jarome spent the day in Chestermere on Saturday, coaching kids and meeting many still adoring #Flames fans. He had a ‘hard out’ cutoff time of 5:30 p.m. to catch a flight out. The line was massive with about an hour to go.

I was second last in line, joining late to say hello again for the first time in person in years. Daughter joined me. Event organizers made their way to the back of the line to warn everyone that Jarome had to leave at 5:30 and that there was a chance he wouldn’t get to all.

Everyone stayed. They closed the doors. Iginla signed, posed and chatted as the line plodded. I thought back to my first year on the #Flames beat when I was on the team charter and buses. The rule for reporters was never be last on the bus. Sutter would happily leave you behind.

But with Iginla on the team it was never a worry. It didn’t matter what city we were in, he stayed, signed and chatted with all who waited near the exit after games, until all had their souvenirs.

In Chestermere, 5:30 approached. There was no way he’d get to all who remained.

In typical Iginla fashion, Jarome pushed the limits, gave every spare moment to his fans. No one was leaving empty handed. Organizers told the remaining groups to have their cameras ready. Iginla continued to sign. He had a flight to catch, but didn’t hurry anyone.

5:30 came and went. Iginla kept signing, chatting and posing. My turn came. A few extras found their way to the back of the line but he didn’t bat an eye. He was in OT. I’m 10 years older and haven’t aged half as gracefully as Jarome. It took a split second but he recognized me.

I introduced my daughter. He asked questions. Lots of them. I joked with his ‘handlers’ a couple minutes before about how they must be calculating how fast they’ll have to drive to get him to the airport in time. They now know how Sutter felt in 2005 on the bus waiting to depart.

It felt like he was willing to chat for as long as we’d like. Asked about my hockey writing, whether my daughter played hockey and laughed loudly at her response (she’s a hockey fan but a figure skater and dancer). He made everyone there feel like he wanted to get to know them.

The thing is, he does. He’s genuine. The organizers snapped a dozen pictures of our interaction. My favourite was candid, not posed. I think it was after my girl told him she would never play hockey. Class act. Hall of Famer in every way. I hope he gets his Cup one day.

His first NHL job is around the corner. He’s committed to his current role for one more year. The #Flames would be wise to start talks now. They’d be lucky to have him - in any capacity he’s willing to take on. They need the atmosphere his presence creates.