Jarome Iginla scores 500th career NHL goal

The NHL season didn’t escape its labor dispute in time to kick off the 2012-13 season as scheduled, but the second half of last season did provide hockey fans with a milestone from one of the game’s reliable ambassadors.

On January 8, in a 3-1 victory against the Minnesota Wild, Iginla scored his 500th career goal. He became the 42nd player to reach that milestone and the 15th player to do so with the same team. By the end of the 2011-12 season, Iginla was ranked 35th overall with 516 career goals.

In an Inspiring Athletes interview, Iginla talked about his unique upbringing and how he hoped to inspired young minority athletes to pursue their dreams.

“I am proud to be a black player in the NHL,” Iginla said. “It would be an honor if I was at all a role model for kids that want to play in the NHL.”