On December 20, 1995, just a mere 165 days after selecting Jarome Iginla in the 1995 NHL Draft, the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames made a deal that would change both franchises’ respective histories.
The Flames had been struggling to sign their star and Captain, Joe Nieuwendyk to a new contract. The Flames and Nieuwendyk had reached an impass and things weren’t going anywhere. Calgary offered Nieuwendyk a 3 year deal after an arbitrator awarded him a 1 year $1.85 million dollar deal, but he declined. So, with Nieuwendyk on the sidelines as the season was heading towards Christmas, the Flames traded their 4 time all star and Stanley Cup Champion to Dallas for some kid named Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen.