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“Yeah … it does feel like it was just yesterday,” said Calgary’s man of the hour — and then some — on the eve of Saturday’s pre-game ceremony to fete the Flames legend at the Saddledome.

“For sure, you miss the game more when you come here and see the energy in practice — see the guys shooting pucks around,” Iginla continued. “You’d like to be out there in a heartbeat. Whenever you could get on a hot streak as a team, that was always the most fun, because it’s what you play for.

“I’ll always miss that part of it.”

It’s not the only thing he misses since last playing in the National Hockey League nearly two full calendar years ago.

The transition in becoming just an ordinary guy has been no easy task for Iginla.

These days, he tries to find an outlet for his competitive spirit, which was the hallmark of his personality on the ice, wherever he can.

A little fire from Iginla behind the bench as a minor hockey coach has even gotten him kicked out of a game.

“Yeah … I did,” said Iginla, with a big smile after being asked if he was indeed ejected by a minor hockey official. “I really enjoy coaching. I’m probably a little more intense than I thought I’d be, but I’m really enjoying it and learning on the job.

“It’s just a misunderstanding of what you can get away with. NHL referees will let you debate. In minor hockey, you’re not supposed to say anything! But there were no swears. There was no cursing. I didn’t even think I was yelling.”

And then there’s the domestic front …