Iginla awestruck by Hall of Fame selection: It's 'truly hard to believe'

Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla has entered rarified air.

The longtime Flames captain was one of five players selected Wednesday for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

"It's an amazing, amazing honor," Iginla told Hockey Hall of Fame chairman and fellow Flames icon Lanny McDonald upon receiving the call, per TSN. "Thank you guys on the committee for voting for me to be a part of it. ... It's just hard to believe, it makes you reflect and think back and it's truly, truly hard to believe."

Iginla, 42, will enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and he admitted it's an achievement he couldn't have imagined when he made his NHL debut as an 18-year-old in 1996.

"I never dreamt it when I got into the NHL, it's awesome. I'm truly honored and very blessed. ... it means a lot to my family and I, and (I) still can't believe it."

The two-time winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy ranks 34th in all-time NHL scoring with 1,300 points in 1,554 career games. He's also one of 20 players to record at least 600 career goals, notching 625 over 20 NHL seasons.

Iginla holds the Flames franchise records for games played (1,219), goals (525), game-winning goals (83), and points (1,095). The club raised his No. 12 to the rafters at Scotiabank Saddledome last March.

Internationally, the native of Alberta won gold with Team Canada at both the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Games.

Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Kim St-Pierre, and Doug Wilson were also selected as players. Longtime executive and current Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland was selected in the builder category.