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 And now at 52 years outdated, 36 years after he first performed a recreation for Kladno, the NHL legend is the one retaining this group alive.
On a Tuesday evening in early October, Rytiri Kladno, the Czech Extraliga group that Jagr performed for as an adolescent 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 collection to remain within the prime league for 3 straight years. If not for Jagr and his skill to attract a crowd and sponsor funds, Kladno will not be right here. Oh, and the do-everything proprietor can 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,” mentioned 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 will probably be his final. He got here to that call in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the summer season. 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 all the time idiot round after follow,” Reimer mentioned. “He wished to remain on the ice additional and dink round like a child. He simply can’t get sufficient ice. So many occasions after follow we’d be doing breakaways or practising completely different pictures and he would say, ‘Hey, Reims, I’m going to point out 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 following yr he performed 22 video games for the Calgary Flames however was then loaned to Kladno. He didn’t get the complete 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 greatest for Kladno. He performed solely 15 regular-season video games and had zero objectives and 4 assists. He took a multi-week break in the course of the season to go again to Pittsburgh and have fun his quantity retirement with the Penguins. He was chubby by his requirements at round 270 kilos. Jagr regarded like he could be executed.
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 executed as a result of they don’t like hockey anymore,” Tralmaks mentioned. “They only wish to stay a standard life. For him, regular life is that this.”
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 technique of communication) and instructed him he was going to make the group aggressive. He mentioned he, personally, could be again in significantly better form. Jagr additionally instructed 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 anyplace else.
“We’ve form of constructed our relationship to the place it feels so pure however then while you get dwelling and also you’re ingesting espresso you’re like, ‘How the hell am I pals with this man? How am I taking part in for this group?’” Tralmaks mentioned. “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 had been born? The following 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 all the group, potential free brokers are getting pitched by the legend himself.
“My agent mentioned, ‘Hey Jagr needs you,’” Tralmaks mentioned. “He didn’t say, ‘Kladno needs you.’ He mentioned, ‘Jagr needs you.’
“I’m like, ‘Jagr needs me? I assumed he was a participant.’ However to be trustworthy, he’s every part right here. He’s head of every part. All the things 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 facet,” mentioned Griffin Mendel, who signed with Kladno this summer season. “I wish to get some stuff signed for pals 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 in some way does have a manner of mixing in with the fellows. 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 middle Mitch Hults mentioned. “He treats everybody the identical and that’s cool to see. It’s straightforward 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 outdated Jagr in that Kladno sweater. He skates slower, however his stride is identical. Whereas bursts of pace are few and much between, his sensible hockey thoughts makes up for what his physique can now not do. He protects the puck in addition to he ever did and might nonetheless take it away when he needs. His passes have the precision of a person who has put tens of hundreds of hours into this recreation. He’ll crash the online 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, appears like magic.
Jagr’s day by day habits have change into a legend of their very own. He thinks exterior of the field along 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 toes 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 lots of them on his Instagram.
“This is sort of a science fiction film,” Tralmaks mentioned. “This needs to be in some documented historical past. They should research this man. They want some docs or psychologists to come back 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 needs to be like that and never fear concerning the exterior world.”
Jagr instructed 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 instructed Jagr a youthful participant would miss 4 weeks with the harm, 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 mentioned. “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 evening in opposition to Ocelari Trinec, a coach massages Jagr’s legs in between shifts to maintain him unfastened 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 respiratory it,” Kladno defenseman Phil Pietroniro mentioned. “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 beneath ice stage, 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 evening with so many pals and sponsors on the recreation vying for his consideration.
As a result of that is the home that Jagr constructed. The rink obtained 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 principles would enable as a result of it will cater to his taking part in type. The fan store inside the sector 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 emblem.
A lot of Kladno’s funding is due to Jagr, too. His skill to satisfy face-to-face with sponsors to win them over is an enormous purpose Kladno will get the assist 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 accountability to the group and the town.
“I’m not absolutely satisfied he would promote the group,” Tralmaks mentioned. “He doesn’t have youngsters, however that is the closest factor to his little one. 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 significantly better off than when Jagr arrived. And there are different former NHLers, Tomas Plekanec and Jakub Voracek, who’re from Kladno and will doubtlessly step in if Jagr does determine to work in North America.
Proper now, although, Kladno gamers aren’t fascinated with any of that. They’re soaking in each second they’ve with Jagr. Some aren’t even certain if he’ll really retire on the finish of the season, both. They’ll consider it once they see it.
“It’s like Brett Favre, proper?” Hults mentioned.
Actuality will sink in in some unspecified time in the future, and these gamers will all get to say they had been a part of Jagr’s ultimate skilled season.
“I may have by no means instructed you I’d play with Jags, ever in my life,” Pietroniro mentioned. “I’d have laughed at you.”
Added Mendel: “You’re within the historical past books a bit of bit. It could 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 evening 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 mirror on how particular nowadays are, even the seemingly mundane moments.
Not too long ago, Jagr and Tralmaks had 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 evening along with his good friend, speaking about hockey and life.
“I’d like to have an image of that evening,” Tralmaks. “That will go on my wall.”
Tralmaks will all the time have spotlight tapes and Jagr’s vigorous Instagram account to recollect the hockey moments. However he is aware of it’s these little reminiscences away from the ice that can 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?’”
(Picture illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photograph: CTK by way of AP Photos)
