He walks around in a weight vest, works out at 11 p.m., warms up with a puck and sticks in the pool.
Ice hockey legend Jaromir Jagr, who turns 51 today, continues to move forward.
– If you’re 51 and you’re still playing hockey, you’re a special person, says Adam Brodecki, fellow Swedish Jagr.
Maintaining a high level as an ice hockey player when you are 40 is not the norm. But still playing top ice hockey at the age of 50 is pretty unique.
Jaromir Jäger turns 51 today.
But it is not celebrated with a big party or a nice dinner. Instead, he will play a home match with his team Kladno, in which he also has the majority, against Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Higher League.
Jagger recalled
And as always, there seems to be more or less hysteria around the legend. Adam Brodicky, 27, witnessed this from the front row.
– During the warm-ups on the ice before the games, there can be people standing around the rink and everyone is shooting Jagr when they warm up. But especially after the matches. There are any number of people who want autographs after every match. Brodicky says he almost has to choose another way out, or else he’ll have to stand there all night.
Trey Kronor-deserved Brodicky joined Kladno this summer after Jagger contacted the Swedish agent.
– Then it turned out that they listened a little more. Jagr is still Jagr, says Brodecki.
The Swede pounced on Jagr’s draft attempt and was forced to spend the season as a teammate with the Czech ice hockey legend.
– In the old days, many good hockey players came from Kladno, but Jagger is the greatest. Nearly every game has sold out when there’s a patient interest, says Brodecki.
“satisfactory procedures”
Jagr is considered one of the best ice hockey players of all time and the legends surrounding the 51-year-old Czech abound.
Passion, focus and exotic training methods.
Has satisfactory pre-match procedures. Heated like three or four times. He walks around in a heavy jacket, weights on his feet and walking briskly. Then he goes on the ice before the actual warm-up begins and skates around and. Brodicky says that when the team is on the ice and getting ready to warm up, he doesn’t participate in any training, but rather drives himself on the ice.
– He’s insanely unique and has a lot of things to himself. Then I know he likes to train at night. Now he doesn’t do it every day, but he took the little ones and trained on the ice at eleven in the evening.
Is it the case that he has a constant ice age in the lounge evenings?
– This is his club so he does whatever he wants. If he wants to drive on the ice, he solves it. I heard rumors that when he was in the NHL, he had his own key in the ring. Here in Kladno, you just need to call.
Shuffle in the pool
Brodecki says Jagr also has a special way of warming up before team practices.
– We have a pool. Every morning when he comes to training, he warms up right there. He jumps into the water and then stands dodging with a baton in the pool. Brodicky says it’s his warm-up.
What is he like as a person?
– If you are 51 years old and play hockey, you are a special person. He has dedicated his life to hockey and loves hockey more than anything else. As a person, he likes to joke around, but he’s serious when it’s a match. Then perhaps no one would take someone to dinner. It’s pretty popular, Brodecki says, and it’s not exactly the case that he hangs out with the guys on the team in his spare time.
So far this season, Jagr has scored eleven points in 19 games. Brodecki doesn’t usually play with the 51-year-old, but sometimes they make changes together and sometimes in a power play.
– I can believe he was the best in the world. Fires the disc exactly when you want it. He may not have the same speed as before, so you have to think a little. I am with him more towards the house because he doesn’t have time to do the housework so quickly. But it’s great to play with him, to play for his club. It’s something you’ll take with you in life, Brodicky says.
Did you receive any reprimand from him?
– mostly. It’s the little details that can make us better and it’s available to everyone, including me.
I think Jagger continues
Playing and being around Jagger is inspiring, Brodicky says. But will you last until he’s fifty? Nothing for him.
– Honestly, I don’t know if I have the energy. I don’t understand how he could take it. What makes him play hockey at 51? His driving is something you admire.
Jagger will learn to play hockey as often as he can. And Brodecki believes Jagr can do well on the ice next season when the Czech turns 52.
– I don’t think he will resign. He will definitely play next year. My feeling is that he has more cravings now that he feels like he’s still working.