Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla returns to Flames as a GM special advisor

Jarome Iginla is back with the Calgary Flames.

The team announced Thursday that the Hall of Fame winger has been named a special advisor to rookie general manager and former teammate Craig Conroy.

Iginla recorded 525 goals and 1,095 points in 1,219 games with Calgary during his decorated playing career, including two 50-goal seasons as one of the NHL’s top forwards.

The 18th captain in Flames history, the Edmonton native has also played for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles.

Inducted as part of the 2020 class of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Iginla won the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer in 2002 and 2004. He also won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2002 as the most outstanding player by whom his votes peers across the league.

LOOK | Look back at Iginla’s historic career:

The 45-year-old finished with 625 goals, 675 assists for 1,300 points in 1,554 games.

Iginla, who won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 and 2010, and Conroy played parts of nine seasons together in Calgary, including the Flames’ run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.

“Ever since our playing days with the Flames date back, Jarome and I have always talked about working together in the NHL someday,” Conroy said in a statement. “That day has finally arrived and I am happy to welcome him back to Calgary.

“Jarome brings to our team a creative approach and smart hockey spirit, combined with a passion for the game and a desire to win the Stanley Cup.”

Bratt plays with Devils again

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils locked up one of their talented young players and signed Swedish forward Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, US$63 million contract extension.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the deal, which will pay the 24-year-old an average of $7.875 million a year. The contract will begin next season with a salary of $10 million and will phase out to $6 million in the final year, 2030-31.

Bratt played six seasons with the Devils, starting in 2017-2018. He is one of 10 players in franchise history to record more than 70 points in multiple seasons. He is also the first Devils player since Zach Parise (2008-09 to 2009-10) with at least 70 points in consecutive seasons.

Bratt slumped in the playoffs, scoring a goal and five assists as New Jersey defeated the Rangers in seven games in the first round and lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in five in the second.

Canucks’ Bear undergoes surgery

Also, the Vancouver Canucks said defenseman Ethan Bear underwent successful shoulder surgery and is expected to be out for six months.

General manager Patrick Alvin said in a statement that the injury was sustained during the Men’s Hockey World Cup, where Bear played eight games.

Bear would become a restricted free agent this summer after playing on a one-year, $2.2 million deal.

The defender scored three goals and 16 points last season, averaging 18:32 in ice time over 61 games.

Bear was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.