Sure, I already talked about Jarome Iginla - in a jersey card no less - here, but after today's blockbuster trade, I had to mention someone from the Calgary Flames - and I couldn't find a Dion Phaneuf card (other than his usual rookies), nor have the Sutters returned the cards I sent by mail. So I went back to the fool-proof plan: The Captain.Mind you, this 2001-02 Private Stock 'Authentic Game-Used Jersey' card from Pacific depicts Iginla when he was but a mere alternate captain (just like in the first card). The patch is red, and neither the home nor the away jerseys had much red in them, only near the waist and wrists, so it's from a relatively small piece of real estate. Pacific has taken a bit of a dive, but this is still worth at least $25 on the open market.
It takes a special man to lead by example the way Iginla does, maybe the type of man who marries his eighth-grade high school sweetheart. No matter how tough he can get on the ice, you expect him to be righteous at all times, and he has been so far. He's an example for kids, helps in the community, has won Olympic Gold... he just needs a Stanley Cup to make it all worthwhile. And should the Sutters find the right mix of players to do so, this could be his year.
At the beginning of the season, I ranked the Flames 4th in their Conference, but also Stanley Cup finalists - against the Philadelphia Flyers, whom I also placed fourth. It would make for a fantastic finale, and, really, honestly, I wouldn't know who to root for - Ray Emery, Daniel Brière, Simon Gagné, Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell on one side, Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Jay Bouwmeester, Robyn Regehr and the Sutters on the other; just the most intense hockey to end the season with.
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