Joe Iginla – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Draft Entry

2025-26 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings & Vancouver Giants
Date of birth: August 13, 2008
Place of Birth: Lake Country, BC, Canada
Height: 5-foot-10, Weight: 174 pounds
Shots: Right
Position: Forward
NHL Draft Eligibility: First Year Eligible

Levels

Joe Iginla, the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla and the younger brother of Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla, is an unlikely center aiming to hear his name called on draft day in 2026. Joe has a good figure like the rest of his family, but he has not been able to crack the junior level so far, reducing his great potential.

After scoring eight points in nine WHL games to start his draft season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, it looked like Joe would almost certainly be selected in the middle rounds of the 2026 Draft. However, his scoring dropped significantly, and he was eventually traded mid-season to the Vancouver Giants.

Related: THW 2026 NHL Draft Guide

He’s good at getting open and finding soft spots on the run, and his shot is solid in the WHL. His off-puck game could use some movement (both offensively and defensively), and he could stand to play with more physicality.

Joe finished the year with 31 points in 59 total games. 15 of those points were promising goals, but a one point per game average in the WHL isn’t enough to garner much attention as a prospect.

Joe Iginla – NHL Draft Projection

I’m not sure if Joe will be drafted this year, unless the Calgary Flames throw the “Special Advisor to the GM” (Jarome Iginla) a bone and draft his son. It doesn’t sound like Joe has done enough as a draft-eligible player to earn a draft pick within the first five rounds or so. I wouldn’t be surprised if another team takes a flier on him as a sniper hoping he can improve beyond what he has shown.

Measurements

“Joe Iginla is a small right-handed center who plays a clean game and is incredibly talented.” – Mick Sandy, Dobber Prospects

“One of Iginla’s best qualities on the ice is his ability to open the shot. He can move around the perimeter and when the puck hits his stick, he shows little hesitation in getting the puck to the net.” – Adam Kierszenblat, The Hockey News

Power

• Big shot
• The feeling of scoring goals

Under Construction- Improvements To Be Made

• Play play
• Play away from the puck

NHL Power

There are many dreams that go into Joe Iginla’s NHL potential. If he can follow a steep development curve, then Joe can be a bottom-six shooter and worker, but the most likely outcome at the pro level is that he becomes a career AHHLer who benefits from good wrists.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk- 5/5, Reward 1.5/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Offense- 5/10, Defense – 3/10

Awards/ Achievements

Draft #13, 2023 WHL Prospects Draft

Discussions/ Links

Joe Iginla, 15, shows glimpses of his father’s scoring ability, toughness

Joe Iginla statistics