HAMILTON — Jade Iginla, daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, has signed a one-year contract with expansion side PWHL Hamilton ahead of their inaugural season, the club announced on Tuesday. The forward was selected by Hamilton in the second round, 18th overall, in the 2026 PWHL Draft and will join the side for their debut campaign which begins on 5 December against the Montreal Victoire.
PWHL Hamilton general manager Meghan Duggan said the Brown University graduate was central to the franchise's foundation plans. “Jade is exactly the type of player we want as part of the foundation of PWHL Hamilton,” Duggan said in a press release. “She has demonstrated throughout her time at Brown that she can produce offensively, compete at a high level and, importantly, lead a team."
Iginla produced 99 points with 56 goals and 43 assists in 123 games across four seasons in the NCAA with Brown, where she served as captain in her senior season. “Serving as captain is a tremendous responsibility, and Jade embraced that role while continuing to be one of the team’s top offensive contributors," Duggan said. "We’re excited about the skill and competitiveness she brings to our forward group, and we believe she has all the qualities to make an impact in our inaugural season.” Iginla added: “I’m thrilled to officially sign with PWHL Hamilton. I’ve heard so much about how passionate PWHL and Hamilton sports fans are, and I’m looking forward to getting to play in front of them. It’s special to be a small part of building this team from the ground up.”
The 18th overall pick was the third Canadian taken in the 2026 draft behind defender Sara Swiderski, who went ninth overall to the Minnesota Frost, and forward Issy Wunder, who went 13th overall to PWHL Las Vegas. Iginla is the second Hamilton draftee to sign with the club, joining first-round Finnish defender Nelli Laitinen. Hamilton have their regular-season home opener on 13 December against the Ottawa Charge.