Jarome Iginla addresses whether or not he ever felt robbed of the Stanley Cup or the Hart Trophy

If Calgary Flames legend and all-time great guy Jarome Iginla has any regrets in his life, it doesn't appear as though any of them relate to his hockey legacy, as the 44-year-old stated on Sunday that he's happy with how his career unfolded.

Iginla, who is one of several who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, came close to winning a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames back in 2003-04 and a Hart Trophy two seasons prior, though he eventually lost out to Habs goaltender Jose Theodore, who had more first place votes.

The former Flames captain wasn't too disappointed about missing out the Hart Trophy and being named the league's MVP in 2001-02, nor does he feel as though he was robbed - but rather thankful just to be in the conversation.

"I wasn't (robbed). With the Hart Trophy, I would have loved to have won it. It's an opinion. When I saw how close it was, that I was tied (with Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore), I was still thrilled to be there. What an honor.


"The Stanley Cup obviously hurt more," Iginla said. "That was a stinger."

Iginla has plenty to look back on and to be proud of, despite not being able to accomplish one of his biggest dreams, hoisting a Stanley Cup. He chooses to focus on what he has done, instead of what he was unable to do. A very positive outlook from one of the best players to ever lace up the skates.

"To play until I was 39 and play on Team Canada with players like (Steve) Yzerman, (Mario) Lemieux, (Joe) Sakic, (Sidney) Crosby ... it was so cool," Iginla said. "So, I don't feel like I was robbed at all. I never think that way.

"I got lots of good bounces in different ways and in games, and we won championships. Memorial Cups and World Juniors. I got to throw my gloves in the air like I was 10 years old again. There are so many things to reflect on and be thankful for, and that is sport."

Iginla played in 1554 regular season NHL games, registering an incredible 625 goals and exactly 1300 points over a 20-year NHL career, 16 of which were with the Calgary Flames. He also spent some time with the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and LA Kings during the later stages of his career.