I was a big fan of Grant Fuhr. I was a big Oilers fan growing

Jarome Iginla once spoke with candor and humility: “I was a big fan of Grant Fuhr. I was a big Oilers fan growing up. I started out playing goal, but there wasn’t enough action. So I decided to play out, and I’m thankful, ’cause goalie is a tough position.” Though simple in its tone, this reflection carries with it a wisdom that transcends the ice rink. It speaks of admiration for heroes, the shaping of destiny through choice, and the gratitude that comes from finding one’s true path.

The ancients often began their tales by recalling the figures who inspired them. Alexander wept at the tomb of Achilles, hoping to emulate his greatness; young warriors in Rome memorized the deeds of Aeneas, drawing courage from mythic examples. So too did Iginla look to Grant Fuhr, a legendary figure of his youth, whose brilliance as a goaltender embodied courage under fire. Heroes, whether on the battlefield or in the arena of sport, awaken the spirit of the young to strive beyond themselves.

Yet inspiration alone does not determine destiny. Iginla first stood between the pipes, donning the mask of the goalie. But in time, he discovered it was not his calling. The action he longed for pulled him forward, and he chose the path of the skater, the scorer, the captain. In this, his story mirrors that of countless men and women across history who began on one path only to find their true strength on another. Christopher Columbus sought a new route to Asia but instead stumbled upon the New World. Thomas Edison failed countless times at invention before the lightbulb became his destiny. To change course when guided by the heart is not failure—it is wisdom.

His thankfulness for this decision is profound. To be a goalie is to bear a heavy burden: the loneliness of the position, the unrelenting pressure, the knowledge that a single mistake can undo the efforts of an entire team. Iginla honors this truth with humility, admitting that his place was elsewhere. Gratitude, then, is not only for the opportunities he found as a forward but also for the clarity that spared him from a role unsuited to his nature. This is the wisdom of self-knowledge, prized by the ancients as the highest virtue.

We may also see in this story the deeper lesson of vocation. Each person is given gifts, but those gifts must be tested in the fire of experience to reveal their true purpose. Iginla’s attempt at goaltending was not wasted—it taught him respect for those who guard the net and led him to embrace his own calling with greater conviction. History is full of such journeys. Michelangelo once studied poetry before turning to sculpture and painting, where his true genius lay. In the same way, trial and error carve the path to destiny.

The deeper meaning of Iginla’s words is that gratitude flows not only from success but from the paths we leave behind. To look back on what might have been with bitterness is to remain chained; to look back with thankfulness is to walk forward with peace. By honoring both his hero Grant Fuhr and his own choice, Iginla shows us that wisdom lies not in envying another’s path, but in embracing one’s own with courage.

The lesson, then, is clear. Be inspired by the heroes who light your way, but do not feel bound to walk in their exact footsteps. Experiment, learn, fail, and adapt until you find the position in life where your gifts bring both action and fulfillment. And when you find it, be thankful not only for where you arrived, but for the lessons of the journey itself.

Practical counsel may be given. Respect those whose roles seem more difficult than your own. Honor the paths you did not take, for they shaped the wisdom to choose rightly. Above all, carry gratitude—for your heroes, for your struggles, and for the place where your true calling allows you to serve. For in this spirit, like Jarome Iginla, you may look back not with regret, but with pride, knowing that every step—whether as goalie or forward—brought you closer to the life you were meant to live.