By the Letters: Investigating the "I" of the Storm in NHL History
In the Professors’ Press Box, we’ve reached letter “I” along our alphabetized journey throughout hockey history. While it’s a rarer starting letter on a jersey, its historical impact is massive. As we investigate this chapter of NHL legacy, three gigantic names stand out: Dick Irvin, Al Iafrate, and Jarome Iginla.
Irvin: The Foundation of a Dynasty
The legacy begins with Dick Irvin, a name synonymous with winning. Before becoming a coaching icon, Irvin was the first Chicago captain in 1926 (at age 34). Aside from his playing career, Irvin “became one of the finest coaches of his generation”. In 1932, Irvin coached the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Stanley Cup championship, before moving to Montreal to help build—what would become—a Canadiens' dynasty, where he captured three more Stanley Cups titles. With 692 career wins as a coach, Irvin remains a foundational part of the NHL’s early success.
Iafrate: High-Velocity Impact
Defenseman Al Iafrate brought a level of raw power to the game, alongside a booming slapshot. Iafrate began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984 (68 games; 21 points).During the 1993 All-Star Skills Competition, Iafrate sent a 105.2 mph shot into the record books. That mark remained the gold standard for 16 years until Zdeno Chara finally topped it in 2009 (105.4 mph). Throughout his NHL career, Iafrate scored 152 goals (463 points) over 799 games.
Cool Fact: In 1984, Al Iafrate was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Iginla: The Ultimate Icon
Jarome Iginla, a Hockey Hall of Famer, spent 16 seasons with the Calgary Flames. In junior hockey, Iginla was a member of two Memorial Cup winning teams with the Kamloops Blazers, and he was the recipient of the WHL Player of the Year (1996). Iginla finished his storied NHL career with 625 goals and exactly 1,300 points over 1,554 games. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Art Ross Trophy winner (2002), and Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award winner (2009), “Iggy” reached the absolute stratosphere of hockey legends.
The "I" of the Beholder
From the tactical brilliance of Dick Irvin and the thunderous power of Al Iafrate to the legendary leadership of Jarome Iginla, letter "I" has left an indelible mark on the game of hockey. Ultimately, these three icons help prove that investigating letter “I” has helped reveal some of the greatest foundational parts in hockey history—whether it is building a dynasty, shooting into the record books, or scoring 600 goals.