Penguins' Big Three Embracing Jaromir Jagr
The Pittsburgh Penguins leaders absorbed all they could during their time around Jaromir Jagr.
PITTSBURGH – It’s been a weekend full of emotions and memories as the Pittsburgh Penguins organization celebrates the career of Jaromir Jagr. The Celebrate 68 weekend will conclude with a retirement ceremony for Jagr’s number 68.
As part of the special weekend, Jagr participated in the Penguins’ team skate and showed that even at his age, there’s a reason he’s still playing professional hockey. Current Penguins leaders like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin took advantage of Jagr’s presence to learn from one of the greatest players in the game.
“It’s all about hockey,” Malkin said on talking with Jagr. “We know how he works hard. His stories of him going to the gym at 10:00 p.m. sometimes… or skate after midnight. He loves hockey.”
Malkin was sure to take mental notes about how Jagr worked to become one of the best of all time.
“This is what I learned,” Malkin said. “It’s all about yourself. Mental, if you do the right things, you play like, I don’t want to say forever, but a long time.”
Crosby also talked hockey with the future Hall of Famer and wanted to ensure that everything felt special for Jagr.
“It’s pretty special, I think, for all of us to be part of this weekend and to have an opportunity like this today,” Crosby said. “I think we're just trying to enjoy it and trying to make it the best experience for him; it's well-deserved.”
For Kris Letang, however, having Jagr around feels extra special as Letang grew up idolizing Jagr. Letang took a moment before the start of practice and put in a special request with the legend.
“Some people might know I wore 68 my entire life,” Letang said. “He was one of my favorite players growing up. I just asked him, ‘Could it be possible if you could sign my jersey tomorrow?’”
The moment Letang asked for the autograph was caught on video and tweeted out by the Penguins. Letang told Jagr that he had worn 68 all his life but said 58 was “close enough” when he got to Pittsburgh.
Jagr obliged and will be sure to give Letang that memorable signature.
Guys like Jagr made it possible for the Penguins organization to be around still and blessed with incredible talents like Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. They all understand Jagr's meaning to the team and the city and are excited to honor him.
“I think we all feel fortunate to be a part of this,” Crosby said. “You don’t know when you’re going to have opportunities like this. There’s a lot of pride that comes with playing with this team for a lot of reasons, and he’s one of them.”
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