Legend Jaromir Jagr Lied His Way Into Being Drafted By The Team He Wanted

Harrison Lee8 years ago

Jaromir Jagr is already a legend when it comes to NHL folklore. The man is well into his 40s and plans to play until he reaches the big 6-0. During his 22-year career in the NHL (which included a three-year break so he could go play in the KHL), the man has wowed on the ice with his ability to score, but also because he’s doing it at such an old age. However, his career could have never started at the young age of 18 with the Pittsburgh Penguins had he not weaseled his way into getting there.

Jagr always wanted to play alongside the great Mario Lemieux. With the Penguins drafting 5th overall and Jagr being the top talent in the draft, a relationship between the two didn’t seem likely. So Jagr did what Jagr do best by looking out for himself and scheming the draft in his favor.

From FOX Sports:

According to Craig Patrick, the former Penguins general manager who drafted Jagr 26 years ago, the Czech winger did his best to manipulate the draft so that he could end up in Pittsburgh playing alongside Mario Lemieux.
…
“I found out years later that when he was interviewed by teams ahead of us, he told them all that he wasn’t coming over [to the NHL] right away,” Patrick recently told reporters at a Penguins alumni golf outing. “When we asked him that question, he said ‘I’ll be there tomorrow if you draft me.’

That’s just vintage Jagr. He doesn’t care if he lies to get his way. Hell, he doesn’t care if some girl he banged is trying to extort him. Jagr just does whatever he wants and that’s why he is so great for the game.

Keep doing you, Jaromir..

[via FOX Sports]

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