SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club selected Kelowna standout Tij Iginla with the No. 6 overall pick during the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
The 62nd NHL Draft was held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29.
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Iginla was the fifth forward selected in the first round.
With our first-ever pick, the Utah Hockey Club selects Tij Iginla 🩵 #UtahHC | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/uPgHFPIhoa
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) June 28, 2024
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Iginla said. “I don’t think its fully sunk in yet. I’m looking forward to it.”
Many people expected Utah to look at a defenseman with its first-ever pick as an NHL franchise. After four forwards were taken in the first five picks, the Utah HC opted to bolster its attack.
In 64 games played in the WHL last season, Iginla recorded 84 points with 47 goals and 37 assists.
Iginla is the son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
.@RyanQualtrics and Ashley Smith announce the first draft pick in @utahhockeyclub history, Tij Iginla.#UtahHC #NHLDraft #NHL pic.twitter.com/5aQD5uzyW4
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 28, 2024
Iginla is the first-ever draft pick made by the Utah Hockey Club.
The 17-year-old said that it was an honor to make history for the new NHL franchise in Utah.
“It’s a huge honor,” Iginla said. “To be the first pick of a franchise is really cool. I talked to (Utah). They’re super nice people. I’m so glad to be selected by them.”
Tij Iginla calls it “an honor” to be the first player ever drafted by @utahhockeyclub.#UtahHC #NHLDraft #NHL pic.twitter.com/hbSZuUrRt0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 29, 2024
Utah secured the No. 6 pick following the NHL Draft Lottery in May. The lottery process determined the first 16 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft and included the franchises that failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year.
After the lottery, Utah received the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Utah didn’t move up or down in the draft order because of the lottery. The newest NHL franchise entered the lottery process with a 7.5 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick. Utah had the sixth-best odds of receiving the top selection.
Utah Hockey Club entered the draft with 13 picks, including No. 6 overall in the first round.
Round 1: Friday, June 28 at 5 p.m. (MT)
Rounds 2-7: Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m. (MT)
It's officially @NHL Draft week! 🏒#NHLDraft #NHL #UtahHC https://t.co/1CWbFjgqfU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 23, 2024
Rounds 2-7: NHL Network and ESPN+
In April, the NHL announced the addition of Utah as the league’s newest franchise under Ryan Smith and Smith Entertainment Group’s ownership. As part of the transaction, players and personnel from the Arizona Coyotes were transferred to Utah. The Coyotes became an inactive franchise following the move.
On June 13, the team officially closed its deal with the NHL and took on the temporary name Utah Hockey Club. The team’s permanent nickname underwent a second round of fan voting and will be announced in the future.
The club will wear sweaters with “Utah” on the front during its inaugural season in 2024-25. Utah HC has primary colors of rock black, salt white, and mountain blue.
Utah Hockey Club will open its seven-game preseason schedule against the St. Louis Blues at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Utah HC’s first preseason game at home will be against the LA Kings on September 23.
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Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
