Colorado Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla was nearly a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 37-year-old says he came close to signing with the Lightning prior to inking a three-year, $16-million deal with the Avalanche in the off-season.
“It was close,” Iginla told the Tampa Bay Times. “I knew [the Lightning] were a very good young team, and only getting better. They’ve proved it in how they’ve played the first half.”
Iginla said the decision was “tough” for a number of reasons, one of which was because he had to chose between two former Olympic teammates – Lightning GM Steve Yzerman and Avalanche executive Joe Sakic.
The Edmonton native added that climate was also a factor in his decision.
“A big part of it is it’s closer to home, and what we know,” Iginla explained. “Our kids like hockey, the winter sports and I think that being able to have those for them definitely played a role.”
Iginla has 13 goals, 17 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Avalanche this season.