KLADNO, Czechia — In Kladno, Czechia, 30 kilometers northwest of Prague, sits a 5,200-seat hockey area in a clearing within the woods. That is the city and the rink that made Jaromir Jagr. Earlier than he piled up 1,921 factors in 1,733 NHL video games and received 5 Artwork Ross trophies and two Stanley Cups, Jagr was the subsequent huge factor on this Czech city. And now at 52 years previous, 36 years after he first performed a recreation for Kladno, the NHL legend is the one retaining this group alive.
On a Tuesday night time in early October, Rytiri Kladno, the Czech Extraliga group that Jagr performed for as a young person and now owns, is internet hosting Ocelari Trinec, the defending Extraliga champions and one of many wealthiest groups within the league. Kladno, by comparability, has been battling to remain within the prime Czech league. They’ve wanted to win the relegation sequence to remain within the prime league for 3 straight years. If not for Jagr and his capability to attract a crowd and sponsor funds, Kladno will not be right here. Oh, and the do-everything proprietor can also be nonetheless plugging away as a third-line proper winger.
“There’s legends after which there’s somebody who does extra, higher, tries to enhance each time,” stated Eduards Tralmaks, Kladno’s main aim scorer from a season in the past. “You’d assume at this level in life he has nothing to show however each time I discuss to him he says, ‘That’s not true. I’ll get higher.’”
That is Jagr’s thirty seventh season {of professional} hockey and he not too long ago shared it will likely be his final. He got here to that call in some unspecified time in the future through the summer time. His ultimate NHL full season was in 2016-17 with the Florida Panthers. James Reimer, Florida’s goalie that season, remembers the boyish enthusiasm Jagr nonetheless had then at 45.
“He would at all times idiot round after observe,” Reimer stated. “He wished to remain on the ice further and dink round like a child. He simply can’t get sufficient ice. So many occasions after observe we might be doing breakaways or training completely different pictures and he would say, ‘Hey, Reims, I’m going to indicate you this transfer that labored within the ’90s. This was a assured aim.’ He’d come and do it and I’d cease it and he’d say, ‘Oh, effectively, the sport has modified.’”
The subsequent yr he performed 22 video games for the Calgary Flames however was then loaned to Kladno. He didn’t get the total NHL farewell tour expertise, partly, as a result of he wasn’t able to give up. So he stored going, lifting his Czech group again into the highest division of the Extraliga, the place they’ve been since 2021.
Final season wasn’t his finest for Kladno. He performed solely 15 regular-season video games and had zero objectives and 4 assists. He took a multi-week break through the season to move again to Pittsburgh and have a good time his quantity retirement with the Penguins. He was chubby by his requirements at round 270 kilos. Jagr regarded like he could be finished.
However within the qualification spherical to keep away from relegation, Jagr broke Gordie Howe’s report and have become the oldest participant to ever take common shifts in knowledgeable recreation. He additionally grew to become the oldest participant ever to attain knowledgeable aim. That impressed him to wish to end with a stronger season than what he put collectively in 2023-24.
“Lots of people, it’s not like they’re finished as a result of they don’t like hockey anymore,” Tralmaks stated. “They only wish to stay a standard life. For him, regular life is that this.”
Jaromir Jagr had his quantity retired by the Penguins in February. (Jeanine Leech / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
That’s a part of how Jagr satisfied Tralmaks to re-sign with Kladno. After a 21-goal season, the 27-year-old Latvian had choices when deciding the place to signal. Jagr FaceTimed him (Jagr’s most popular methodology of communication) and informed him he was going to make the group aggressive. He stated he, personally, can be again in a lot better form. Jagr additionally informed him that this was going to be his ultimate season. When he heard that, Tralmaks knew he couldn’t think about taking part in this season wherever else.
“We’ve sort of constructed our relationship to the place it feels so pure however then whenever you get residence and also you’re ingesting espresso you’re like, ‘How the hell am I associates with this man? How am I taking part in for this group?’” Tralmaks stated. “It’s one thing that I’d say is sort of a dream that I by no means actually dreamt of.”
How else do you describe taking part in with a man who had already received two Stanley Cups and an Artwork Ross Trophy earlier than you have been born? The subsequent oldest participant on Kladno’s roster is 15 years youthful than Jagr. Kladno’s youngest participant was born in 2004, by which level Jagr had already performed 14 NHL seasons. 9 gamers on the roster are lower than half his age. And since he’s not only a participant but in addition operating your entire group, potential free brokers are getting pitched by the legend himself.
“My agent stated, ‘Hey Jagr desires you,’” Tralmaks stated. “He didn’t say, ‘Kladno desires you.’ He stated, ‘Jagr desires you.’
“I’m like, ‘Jagr desires me? I assumed he was a participant.’ However to be sincere, he’s every part right here. He’s head of every part. The whole lot goes by him.”
Even after ending up on FaceTime with Jagr strolling by their questions, newcomers to Kladno are understandably a bit overwhelmed by his presence. Taking part in along with your proprietor is exclusive sufficient, however when it’s Jagr, how do you not get a bit starstruck?
“You positively wish to get on his good aspect,” stated Griffin Mendel, who signed with Kladno this summer time. “I wish to get some stuff signed for associates and stuff however I don’t wish to be tremendous annoying.”
“There’s this aura round him,” Tralmaks added. “If there was a hockey Jesus, this man is as shut because it will get. ”
What everybody shortly realizes is that Jagr one way or the other does have a means of mixing in with the blokes. Though he owns the group, he performs on the third line. He’s on the second power-play unit. He’s fast to chirp teammates and takes it simply as simply.
“He doesn’t assume he’s higher than anybody,” Kladno heart Mitch Hults stated. “He treats everybody the identical and that’s cool to see. It’s simple for somebody like that to stroll in and assume, ‘I’m too cool for this.’ However he actually jokes round with everybody.”
When Jagr is on the ice, you’ll be able to’t take your eyes off him. There are bits and items of the previous Jagr in that Kladno sweater. He skates slower, however his stride is similar. Whereas bursts of velocity are few and much between, his good hockey thoughts makes up for what his physique can now not do. He protects the puck in addition to he ever did and may nonetheless take it away when he desires. His passes have the precision of a person who has put tens of 1000’s of hours into this recreation. He’ll crash the web with depth. And when the puck is on his stick, there’s nonetheless a sense one thing magical may occur. As a result of in so some ways, what he’s doing, taking part in skilled hockey at this age, looks like magic.
Jagr’s every day habits have turn out to be a legend of their very own. He thinks outdoors of the field together with his exercise routines and pregame warmups. As one teammate described it, “There’s train science after which there’s Jagr science.” He sprints in full gear with a resistance band round his waist. He does fast ft with skates and ankle weights on. When he bench presses, he holds the barbell like he holds a hockey stick. Each exercise is strictly about hockey, and he posts a whole lot of them on his Instagram.
“This is sort of a science fiction film,” Tralmaks stated. “This must be in some documented historical past. They should research this man. They want some docs or psychologists to return in and research this man, as a result of he’s an alien. He’s not a f—— human being.”
“He doesn’t care what folks assume,” Hults added. “He simply goes and does himself. I really feel like everybody ought to be like that and never fear in regards to the outdoors world.”
Jagr informed his teammates he wished to play in each exhibition recreation, however he solely ended up taking part in in a single as a result of he tore his hamstring. Docs informed Jagr a youthful participant would miss 4 weeks with the damage, however a 52-year-old would most likely want six weeks of relaxation with out skating.
“You assume he took these 4 to 6 weeks?” Tralmaks stated. “Three days later he was on the ice skating by himself, capturing pucks. In two or three weeks he was already on the ice with us. He’s not taking that recommendation. If one thing hurts he says, ‘No, it doesn’t damage, it’s in your head.’”
Jagr has missed just one recreation this season for Kladno, and he’s scored one aim and two assists. Kladno is in sixth place within the league standings. On this night time in opposition to Ocelari Trinec, a coach massages Jagr’s legs in between shifts to maintain him free and ensure that hamstring doesn’t cramp up. Jagr remains to be barking encouragement from the bench, arguing with refs and chirping opponents.
“He’s dwelling and respiration it,” Kladno defenseman Phil Pietroniro stated. “It’s his DNA.”
Even with the late penalty, Kladno manages to win the sport 3-2, setting off a raucous celebration within the crowd. Gamers come off the ice and stroll all the way down to the locker room, which sits under ice degree, singing and chanting in celebration. Jagr could be the loudest of the bunch, as he gathers the group and employees for the postgame photograph and video. He doesn’t have time for an interview on this night time with so many associates and sponsors on the recreation vying for his consideration.
As a result of that is the home that Jagr constructed. The rink acquired a serious renovation in 2022 that included a brand new roof, doorways, home windows, VIP sections, insulation, air con and ticket places of work. He modified the ice floor to make it as small as the foundations would permit as a result of it will cater to his taking part in fashion. The fan store inside the world is small however serves as a shrine to Jagr. Jagr’s face is printed on pucks, espresso mugs, T-shirts and scarves for followers to purchase. His jersey, as you’d count on, is a well-liked one among the many locals who crowd the rink on recreation nights. There’s as a lot merchandise with Jagr’s face on it as there may be Kladno’s brand.
A lot of Kladno’s funding is due to Jagr, too. His capability to fulfill face-to-face with sponsors to win them over is an enormous cause Kladno will get the help it does. This city doesn’t have the key corporations that fund larger groups like Ocelari Trinec or Sparta Praha. However Jagr is a serious promoting level for sponsors.
That leaves a respectable query about what occurs when Jagr is completed taking part in. The Penguins have expressed curiosity in hiring him in some capability. But when he did that, Jagr may need to promote the group in Kladno. With out his on-the-ground presence, that sponsorship cash received’t be assured. Neither will the crowds he’s drawn. Even this recreation in opposition to Ocelari Trinec wasn’t a sellout on a weekday. Jagr’s father owned the group earlier than him, and he feels a duty to the group and the town.
“I’m not totally satisfied he would promote the group,” Tralmaks stated. “He doesn’t have youngsters, however that is the closest factor to his youngster. That is his group. He takes care of it. That is his legacy, too. With out Jagr, I don’t know if this group would exist.”
Kladno is already a lot better off than when Jagr arrived. And there are different former NHLers, Tomas Plekanec and Jakub Voracek, who’re from Kladno and will probably step in if Jagr does resolve to work in North America.
Proper now, although, Kladno gamers aren’t fascinated by any of that. They’re soaking in each second they’ve with Jagr. Some aren’t even positive if he’ll truly retire on the finish of the season, both. They’ll imagine it once they see it.
“It’s like Brett Favre, proper?” Hults stated.
Actuality will sink in in some unspecified time in the future, and these gamers will all get to say they have been a part of Jagr’s ultimate skilled season.
“I may have by no means informed you I’d play with Jags, ever in my life,” Pietroniro stated. “I’d have laughed at you.”
Added Mendel: “You’re within the historical past books a bit of bit. It might be cool to get an help or one thing on his final aim.”
Tralmaks appears to have a particular appreciation for the second he’s dwelling in. On the night time of this early October recreation, Tralmaks stayed on the rink till after the janitor left to speak about Jagr for an hour and a half. He additionally loves speaking about him as a result of it forces him to replicate on how particular as of late are, even the seemingly mundane moments.
Not too long ago, Jagr and Tralmaks have been the final two gamers on the rink capturing the breeze, so there was no meals left. Jagr requested Tralmaks if he wished to go to McDonald’s. They walked in and the cashier was dumbfounded to see Jaromir Jagr in a McDonald’s at nearly midnight. Everybody within the restaurant was staring. For Tralmaks, it was simply one other night time together with his buddy, speaking about hockey and life.
“I’d like to have an image of that night time,” Tralmaks. “That may go on my wall.”
Tralmaks will at all times have spotlight tapes and Jagr’s full of life Instagram account to recollect the hockey moments. However he is aware of it’s these little recollections away from the ice that may come flashing again for years when Jagr is completed.
“I simply hope he doesn’t overlook me in 5 or 10 years, so I will be like, ‘Hey Jags, how’s it going?’”
(Photograph illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photograph: CTK through AP Photographs)
