For two decades, Jarome Iginla was one of the toughest players in the National Hockey League.
Whether it was battling along the boards, dropping the gloves or delivering a timely goal, the former Colorado Avalanche forward built his reputation on a combination of toughness, talent and leadership.
Now, the Hockey Hall of Famer is facing a different kind of challenge.
Iginla, 49, revealed Tuesday that he has been dealing with neurological health issues that may be connected to complications from hip replacement surgery.
Speaking with Eric Francis of Sportsnet , Iginla acknowledged that he has spent more than a year searching for answers about his condition.
"Unfortunately I have been battling some health issues," Iginla told Francis. "Some neurological issues. I'm not entirely sure what it is, it may be from metal toxins from reaction to cobalt hip."
Iginla underwent hip replacement surgery several years ago, following a professional career that included 1,554 regular season games.
According to Francis, complications following the procedure, along with subsequent medications, have affected Iginla's energy, weight and speech.
One concern involves the cobalt-chromium components used in certain artificial hip implants. Over time, wear or corrosion can release metal particles into the bloodstream, potentially creating additional health complications.
However, doctors have not established whether that is responsible for Iginla's symptoms.
Francis also reported that Iginla has experienced elevated mercury levels, which he and his medical team are attempting to reduce while investigating whether the findings are connected.
The former NHL captain has undergone extensive testing and consulted medical professionals for more than a year.
Despite the uncertainty, Iginla remains optimistic.
"I need more time to figure it all out, but I'm still hopeful that I will recover fully," he told Francis.
The news comes after a recent video featuring Iginla and his youngest son, Joe, prompted questions among hockey fans.
As Ben Steiner reported for Daily Faceoff , Iginla appeared in Hometown Giants , an Amazon Prime documentary following the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants.
Viewers noticed changes in his appearance and speaking voice, leading to widespread concern about his well-being.
Tuesday's interview provided the first explanation from Iginla about the health difficulties he has been experiencing.
For Avalanche fans, Iginla remains a familiar figure from a period when Colorado was attempting to build around a young core that included Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog .
After spending most of his career with the Calgary Flames, followed by stops in Pittsburgh and Boston, Iginla signed a three-year contract with the Avalanche in July 2014.
Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He brought veteran leadership and an established scoring resume to a franchise seeking a return to playoff contention.
His most memorable moment in an Avalanche uniform came on January 4, 2016.
Facing the Los Angeles Kings, Iginla scored his 600th career NHL goal, becoming just the 19th player in league history to reach that milestone.
Although his time in Colorado didn't produce a Stanley Cup, it represented another chapter in a career that placed him among the most accomplished players of his generation.
Iginla finished with 625 goals and 1,300 points.
He also won two Olympic gold medals with Canada, including the 2010 Vancouver Games, when he assisted on Sidney Crosby's overtime winner against the United States.
Iginla is the Flames' franchise leader in games played, goals and points, having scored 525 goals and 1,095 points in 1,219 games with Calgary.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020 and returned to Calgary in 2023 as a special advisor to general manager Craig Conroy.
His sons Tij and Joe have both been selected in the NHL Draft, while his daughter Jade has pursued her own professional hockey career.
For a player who spent so many years in the public eye, retirement has largely allowed Iginla to enjoy a more private life with his family.
That makes his decision to discuss his health especially meaningful.
While the exact cause of his neurological problems remains undetermined, Iginla offered an encouraging update about his progress.
"Things are slowly getting under control," he told Francis.
For those who watched Iginla compete throughout his career, the hope now is that the former Avalanche forward receives the answers and treatment he needs to make a full recovery.
After everything he accomplished on the ice, his health and well-being matter far more than any statistic or championship.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nhl/avalanche/onsi as Former Avalanche Star Jarome Iginla Details Ongoing Neurological Health Battle .
