Jagr signs with Flames for one-year deal
Mullet-clad fans from Alberta will keep close to home after hero signs with Flames
Mere minutes after having his Monday morning meeting punctuated by a barrage of texts, Chris Richter admittedly had trouble comprehending what it all meant.
As co-founder of the Travelling Jagrs, the one thing he was sure of is that breaking news of his hero signing with the hometown Calgary Flames would be life altering.
For at least a year anyway. “Are we going to be the NonTravelling Jagrs now?” he said with a laugh, still trying to digest the news.
“So many questions.” Based largely in Calgary, Edmonton and Airdrie, Alta., Richter’s rag-tag bunch of mullet-clad Jagrs had become a staple whenever Jaromir Jagr was playing games in Alberta, all the while sporting the full gear the future hockey hall of famer had worn for eight different teams. They’ve been hoping and anticipating Jagr would return to the NHL at age 45, which will now be the case after the Flames inked him to a one-year deal Monday for US$1 million plus a possible $1 million in bonuses.
Who will have the honour of representing Jagr in Flames silks?
Last year, they held a tryout at an outdoor rink in Calgary’s Tuscany neighbourhood to replace the Czech Jagr.
This year, they may have to host it at the Saddledome, although he fully admits they may have to start the year with an interim Flames Jagr.
When and where will Jagr make his Flames debut? Will the Travelling Jagrs be there?
Will the Bible of Travelling Jagr rules have to be altered? After all, one of the golden rules is “we never cheer for the home team or even his team, we cheer for Jagr only,” explained Richter, 35, a local realtor whose group is comprised largely of childhood pals who went to school and played hockey together in Bowness.
“We had to gas a guy years ago for violation of that one. It’ll be hard because some of the guys are Flames fans. We’re going to have to have a little sit-down with the boys. How do you control that?”
Richter says there’s already talk of a hastily organized signing party and expects the lads will have to drop all their plans so they can assemble Saturday for the Dome opener.
Trevor Freeman — “the Dallas Jags” — is the group’s planner and he’s already one step ahead of that, saying Wednesday’s season opener in Edmonton is the target.
“I’m trying to get us organized to get us up to Edmonton, as much as everyone says he won’t be there by then,” said Freeman, whose group came up with the concept following a costume party in Vegas at which they first donned No. 68 and his mullet.
“Everybody said the Travelling Jagrs won’t travel if he signed here. We’ll still travel.”
Especially 57 games into his Calgary tenure when Jagr will break Gordie Howe’s record for games played. After worrying all summer he may never resurface in North America, you can bet they will be there.
“I think he’s going to embarrass people on Wednesday. He’s always in such great shape,” said Freeman, whose group swells closer to a dozen when it includes a Kladno Jagr (his hometown team), a 1993 Western All-Star Team Jagr and an Omsk outfit.
“To spend $2 million to have an actual living legend who still got 16 goals and 46 points last year. Incredible. We were shocked it didn’t happen earlier.”
The rumours certainly abounded all summer, given the Flames’ cap space and need for help on the right wing. There’s also the familiarity Jagr has with Flames coach Glen Gulutzan, who coached Jagr in Dallas.
Like everyone else in Calgary, the Travelling Jagrs already started the debate over whether Jagr is destined for the top line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.
“He might not start there, but I think it’s hard to keep him from the top line,” said Freeman of the NHL’s five-time scoring champ and No. 2 career scorer.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for us to get to see him this much. Calgary is such a great place and there are so many jerseys already — you’re going to see so many red Jagr jerseys now.”
You’ll also see plenty of the beer-swilling group, which is a hit wherever it goes. It will be every bit as popular as the former Hart Trophy winner.
“Maybe we’ll do a post-game recap of Jagr’s play every game on The Fan. It would be an interesting segment at the very least,” said a laughing Freeman, who put a call into the Flames PR gang right away with an eye on creating a Jagr section in the rink.
“Every game he plays is a new record. I think he’ll be very effective in Calgary.”
And fascinating to watch.
To spend $2 million to have an actual living legend who still got 16 goals and 46 points last year. Incredible. We were shocked it didn’t happen earlier.