[View the story "Calgary Flames stalwart Jarome Iginla traded to powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins" on Storify ]Calgary Flames stalwart Jarome Iginla traded to powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among the many Canadian hockey fans who woke to news that Calgary Flames stalwart Jarome Iginla was traded in the wee hours of Friday to an American team -- no less the powerful Pittsburgh Penguins. Storified by CTVNews.ca · Thu, Mar 28 2013 08:36:29
And like many hockey fans did -- judging by the fact that all of #Iginla, Pittsburgh, #Flames
and #iggy were trending Friday morning -- Harper shared his reaction on Twitter: Jarome Iginla is a class act, a proud Canadian, and an all-time Flames great. Thanks for everything, Jarome. <a href="http://t.co/k8htx06gBQ" class="">ow.ly/jupsp</a>Stephen Harper
The prime minister even included a link to a photo uploaded to his Flickr stream, of him standing next to Iginla during their visit to Canadian troops in Kandahar in May, 2011.
Jarome Iginla is a class act, a proud Canadian, and an all-time Flames great. Thanks for everything, Jarome.PM Stephen Harper
The 35-year-old Iginla spent 16 years of his NHL career playing for Calgary, where he was revered for his good nature, immense talent and dogged playing style. At the height of his career he was one of the league’s best power forwards.
#traded #gonnamisshim #iggy #iginla #jarome #calgary #flames #calgaryflames.Stephen
Few hockey fans need reminding that Iginla made history with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby at the 2010 Winter Olympics, when he dug the puck off the boards and fed a pass to Crosby, who buried it in the U.S. net and giving Canada the gold medal.
Where were you on February 28 three years ago when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal? <a href="http://t.co/TS9mrTNpRd" class="">youtube.com/watch?v=G7DeQb…</a> <a href="http://t.co/bbQinQD5B0" class="">pic.twitter.com/bbQinQD5B0</a>Hockey Canada
Hey everyone, i bet you remember who scored the golden goal but do you remember who assisted it? <a href="http://t.co/Juef8FU791" class="">pic.twitter.com/Juef8FU791</a>Kyle Pietruska
Fans on Twitter were salivating at the potential of the reunited dynamic duo from the Olympics:
There's going to be a lot more golden goals in Pittsburgh #Iggy #CrosbyGiveYourHeadAShake™
I think were gonna see alot of this #Iggy #Sid <a href="http://t.co/DNHlDPe7I7" class="">pic.twitter.com/DNHlDPe7I7</a>T volz
Others, meanwhile, were lamenting the loss of a Calgary icon:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to mourn the loss of our heart, soul and identity. #Flames #IggyResolute
Sorry for the tweets. I'm going through what feels like a break up. #iggymadiijones
The news comes after a week of trade rumours surrounding the Calgary captain. Many of those rumours had him being traded to Boston, whose fans suffered a tough loss Wednesday night after their team lost to the Montreal Canadiens. On Friday, many Bruins fans weren't shy sharing their disappointment:
Blowing another 3rd period loss to Habs & losing out on Jarome Iginla like a mule kick to Bruins' collective crotch <a href="http://t.co/ZwNo1le0se" class="">bit.ly/10c1sxC</a>Joe Haggerty
Boston Bruins fans last night: "We got Iginla!!!"Boston Bruins fans this morning: "Iginla sucks anyway!"Evil Mike Tomlin
With the deal done, the next question is will the Iginla acquisition assure the Stanley Cup for the scorching hot Penguins in this shortened NHL season? It would be Iginla's first Stanley Cup if they pull it off.
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning the 2013 Stanley Cup. #iginla #wowSid Seixeiro
Congrats to Iggy for going to a new franchise to finally have a chance to win the Stanley Cup with the Pens #IginlaJoey Mercredi
Jarome Iginla was a Great Flame... but remember...he didn't do what Gilmour,MacDonald,Nieuwendyk,MacInnis,Loob did...win the Stanley Cup!John Shannon