Iginla's paying homage to one of the greats in an interesting way.

Jarome Iginla joined the L.A. Kings only last week, but he already has people talking about him in a positive way. 

According to reports, he had to drop the jersey #12 when he moved to L.A., since it was already taken by Marian Gaborik. He didn't skip a beat though and chose #88 in a heartbeat. 

Apparently, he chose the number as a tribute to the year Wayne Gretzky got moved to the Kings from the Oilers, in one of the biggest trade in the history of the sport. Iginla was a huge Oilers fan back in the days, but he bought a Kings #88 shirt nonetheless. He even had his own name written in the back! He was 10 years old at the time.

The story reminds us how hockey players have an immense influence on kids around the globe. In an emotional twist of events, Jarome will get to fulfill a dream of sort this year!