Havlat Welcomes Jagr Back
Posted by TheHockeyGuy on February 16th, 2010
Wild winger Martin Havlat learned Monday not a lot has changed with Jaromir Jagr.
Now playing in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, the former NHL superstar and future Hall of Famer returned to Canadian soil during his first Olympic practice Monday with the Czech Republic.
“Jagr is always smiling and laughing,” Havlat said. “He’s got a birthday today. I know he’s not 29 anymore, but he’s still the same guy. He was pretty good on the ice today.
Havlat’s thrilled to be sharing the ice once again with Jagr, who turned 38 Monday. Jagr is one of Havlat’s heroes, and in 2002 during the Salt Lake City Winter Games, Havlat remembers like it was yesterday the first time he played a shift with Jagr.
With 12 minutes left in a game with Sweden, coach Josef Augusta tapped Havlat on the shoulder and told him to get ready for first-line duty with Jagr and Robert Lang.
“I jump on the ice, hit [Michael] Nylander, got five plus a game misconduct. That was it. That was my first and my last shift,” Havlat said, laughing.
But Jagr wanted to play with Havlat again, and the two were linemates against Canada.
Jagr told Havlat, “When I get the puck, don’t come anywhere near me. Just get open, and I’ll get you the puck.”
Havlat did as told and scored twice in a 3-3 tie against the eventual gold medal winners.
“Jagr’s the biggest name we had, the biggest name we have — the best Czech player in my opinion,” Havlat said.
Jagr says he is excited to be back in North America, but also modest in his expectations. “I haven’t played in the NHL for two years. Nobody is expecting anything,” he said. “That’s a big advantage for me.”
Click here to read the full article – By Minneapolis Star-Tribune
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