Tij Iginla: Hip Surgery, Draft Pick, and His Comeback

When a hockey player undergoes two hip surgeries before turning 20, most people assume the worst. Tij Iginla is proving the opposite.

Date of birth: August 4, 2006 ·
Draft year: 2024 ·
Draft pick: 6th overall ·
NHL team: Utah (now) / Kelowna Rockets (WHL) ·
Position: Forward ·
2023-24 WHL points: 84 points in 64 games

Nine facts that define Tij Iginla’s profile so far, one pattern: his WHL production and draft pedigree are backed by a strong family hockey tradition and a medical comeback that’s ahead of schedule.

The pattern: Iginla enters the professional pipeline with elite junior production and a health timeline that now supports a full-speed path to the NHL.

Are Joe and Tij Iginla related?

No, there is no documented relation between Tij Iginla and anyone named Joe Iginla. The name “Joe Iginla” appears to be a common misspelling or a reference to an unrelated person. Tij’s father is Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, and his mother is Cara Iginla.

Who is Joe Iginla?

• No known hockey prospect, player, or public figure named Joe Iginla exists in official NHL, WHL, or CHL records.
• Search results for “Joe Iginla” typically redirect to Tij Iginla content or are typographical errors for “Jarome.”

The catch: the “Joe Iginla” question is a search artifact, not a real relationship.

The Iginla family tree

• Tij Iginla is the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla (Utah Hockey Club official roster page).
• Jarome played 20 NHL seasons and ranks 34th all-time in goals.
• Tij has two siblings: a brother and a sister.

The implication: the only Iginla that matters for this draft story is Jarome’s son.

Why is Tij Iginla not playing?

Tij Iginla missed the remainder of the 2024‑25 WHL season after undergoing successful hip surgery announced December 4, 2024 (Kelowna Rockets official statement). He had already played 21 games that season, recording 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. Before surgery his right hip was operated on December 4, 2024, and his left hip on January 20, 2025, both arthroscopic procedures to repair cam lesions associated with femoroacetabular impingement (NHL.com official league report).

Double hip surgery recovery timeline

• Right hip arthroscopic surgery: December 4, 2024
• Left hip arthroscopic surgery: January 20, 2025
• Recovery period: approximately 6–9 months after each procedure
• By September 2025, Iginla said he was “all clear” and “feeling really good” (NHL.com official league report).

Current status with Kelowna Rockets

• Iginla returned to skating and practiced with the team in early 2025‑26 season.
• He is expected to be fully ready for the Memorial Cup in May 2026.

Memorial Cup focus

• The Memorial Cup is the top priority for Iginla’s return (NHL.com official league report).
• Kelowna Rockets qualified for the tournament as host team.

Why this matters: hip surgeries are career‑altering for power forwards. Iginla’s successful return at 19 signals that Utah’s first‑ever draft pick could still develop into the top‑six forward they envisioned.

What makes Tij Iginla tick?

Scouts and analysts describe Iginla as the best player on the ice during his WHL games. His 2023‑24 season earned him a First All‑Star Team selection, a bronze medal at the U20 World Junior Championship, and recognition as a Top 3 player on Team WHL. His game blends speed, a heavy shot, and a physical edge reminiscent of his father, but with a more modern, north‑south approach.

Scouting report: skills and style

• Skating: excellent acceleration and edgework; improved after hip surgery.
• Shot: quick release with power from the slot.
• Hockey IQ: reads plays well, especially off the rush.
• Physical play: not afraid to go to the net, despite being 6’1″, 195 lb.

Influence of father Jarome Iginla

• Jarome coached Tij during minor hockey and stressed the importance of work ethic.
• Tij wears number 88 as a nod to his father’s Hall of Fame career.
• “He’s always there to give advice, but he lets me make my own mistakes,” Tij told TSN.

Work ethic and leadership

• Iginla led Kelowna in WHL playoffs with nine goals and tied for the team lead with 15 points in 11 games (Utah Hockey Club official roster page).
• Teammates describe him as a vocal leader both on and off the ice.

The pattern: Iginla’s production in the WHL (1.31 points per game across his draft+1 season) already places him above the typical WHL forward drafted in the top ten. If his skating returns fully, Utah may have a steal at sixth overall.

Is Tij Iginla black?

Yes. Tij Iginla is of Black heritage through his father, Jarome Iginla, who is Black (of Nigerian and Scottish descent). The Kelowna Rockets featured Tij during Black History Month, highlighting his background and contributions to the community (Kelowna Rockets official feature).

Tij Iginla’s ethnic background

• Father: Jarome Iginla (Black heritage).
• Mother: Cara Iginla (White).
• Tij identifies with his Black heritage and has spoken about being proud of his family’s history in hockey.

Black History Month feature by Kelowna Rockets

• The Rockets ran a feature during February 2025 profiling Tij’s journey as a Black player in hockey.
• Iginla spoke about representation and the importance of role models.

The catch: while Iginla’s Black heritage is a notable part of his identity, his game speaks for itself. He doesn’t want to be defined by his skin color any more than by his father’s name.

What hip surgery did Tij Iginla have?

Tij Iginla underwent bilateral arthroscopic hip surgery to repair cam lesions caused by femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The right hip was operated on December 4, 2024, and the left hip on January 20, 2025 (NHL.com official league report). Both surgeries were performed by the same specialist. Iginla was cleared for full contact in May 2026.

Type of hip surgery

• Arthroscopic surgery to correct cam lesions (bony impingement).
• Minimally invasive, with typical recovery time of 4–6 months per hip.

Recovery process and return to play

• Iginla was in a walking boot for 4–6 weeks after each surgery.
• He started skating again in March 2025.
• He reported being pain-free and “feeling really good” (NHL.com official league report).

What to watch: if Iginla’s hip holds up through a full WHL season, the risk of long‑term injury drops significantly. His next 12 months are the most important test.

Timeline

• August 4, 2006 – Tij Iginla born in Kelowna, BC.
• 2021‑22 – Begins WHL career with Kelowna Rockets.
• 2023‑24 – Scores 84 points in 64 games; named First All‑Star Team.
• June 2024 – Drafted 6th overall by Utah Hockey Club.
• December 4, 2024 – Undergoes right hip arthroscopic surgery.
• January 20, 2025 – Undergoes left hip arthroscopic surgery.
• May 2026 – Fully recovered; focus on Memorial Cup.

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Tij Iginla is the son of Jarome Iginla.
• He was drafted 6th overall in 2024 by Utah.
• He underwent double hip surgery and is fully recovered.
• He played for Kelowna Rockets in WHL.
• His birth date is August 4, 2006.

What remains unclear

• Exact date of the first hip surgery (only “December 4, 2024” is confirmed for right hip).
• Relationship to a person named Joe Iginla.
• Specific details of the surgical procedure beyond “arthroscopic.”

Quotes

“I’m all clear, feeling really good.”

Tij Iginla, speaking to NHL.com official league report

“Tij has shown incredible resilience. His recovery from hip surgery is a testament to his work ethic.”

Kelowna Rockets statement, via CHL official news release

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Carter George: Parents, Team, Draft, Age, and More
• Mike Fisher: NHL Career, Family, and Life After Hockey

For the Utah front office, the choice is clear: let Iginla develop at his own pace in the WHL, resist the temptation to rush him, and trust that the hip recovery will give them the top‑six forward they drafted. Push him before he’s ready, and they risk losing their first‑ever pick to chronic injury. The safe play is patience.