Sunday thoughts: When Jagr came home
One of the finer moments in 2023-24
This past season was one mostly of frustration and lack a of fulfillment for the Penguins, but undoubtedly one of the most memorable developments was the overdue official reunion with one of the franchise’s best players.
Jaromir Jagr carries a mercurial legacy, a man defined by paradoxes. He seems simple and earnest enough, yet also has a complex meandering personality. He was the best player in the league in the 1990’s, yet left Pittsburgh with ill-feelings that lingered for decades. He was and is a nomadic type of guy, roaming around wherever he could to satisfy his singular, insatiable urge to play the game he loves so much.
In 2024, the Penguins got their favorite lost son home, and for good. It was a team effort, Phil Bourque went over to Czech years ago to act as something of an unofficial ambassador by telling Jagr what he still meant to the team, city and fans. Team President Kevin Acklin spent no lack of time cultivating the relationship.
Finally, the ducks were in-line with a plan to retire Jagr’s famous No. 68 and put it up in the rafters where it belonged next to Mario Lemieux’s 66.
Like only he could, Jagr took over that weekend. He skated with the team during a practice, with his own videographers in tow to document the moment.
Not content on just that, Jagr took the warmup on the afternoon his jersey was retired and skated with the team as if he was about to play himself. Can’t recall that ever happening. The new generation of Penguins all wore 68 jerseys and cheap, black mullet wigs in homage to the legend.
Jagr gave a 20 minute speech, flanked by plenty of teammates and most of the important people in the organization over the last 40+ years. It was a touching moment for not only himself and the team but for all in attendance and watching. The long, lost icon for the Pens was back in the fold. It took a long time for everyone to get to that place, but it also felt so right with the knowledge it was where he belonged all along.