PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In roughly a 45-minute ceremony that included several videos and comments from some of his former teammates, the Pens honored Jaromir Jagr and then sent his banner to the rafters. They retired his number 68 with him wearing it for a final time.
Here are some of his comments. What Mike Sullivan said about the weekend and how he left the ice.
Speech time
Highlights from Jagr’s speech right before they raised the banner. Among those on the ice with him-Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, Peter Taglianetti, Jay Caufield, Phil Bourque, Robert Lang, Jiri Hrdina
· “Pittsburgh is my second home”
· Pens Jaromir Jagr's mom started to cry as Jagr thanked his parents and he went over and hugged his mom.
· “I want to thank my dad, he passed away last year but I know he's watching. Everything he said was right on.”
· "I loved to play with Troy Loney, he didn't want the puck and he would give it to me"
· "You guys showed me the respect to love me and I want to show the respect back." Jagr started reading the names of the GM (Craig Patrick), scouts, the players (those in attendance and those unable to be here) and Mike Lange.
· "I remember my first coach Bob Johnson always said 'It's a Great Day for Hockey', I'm going to change it a little bit 'Today is a Great Day for Me'
· "A big thanks go to you, the fans, all of you. The fans in Pittsburgh, since my first day until the last day I was traded. You guys make it easier for me.'
· “(My time in Pittsburgh) probably the best days of my life.”
Surprise warmup guest
Pens all came out wearing mullets and all wearing 68 Jagr jerseys including Jagr himself. It’s the last time a Pens player will wear 68 and they all did including the honoree. Cool that it’s arguably the best Pens jersey with the diagonal ‘Pittsburgh’ across the front with the traditional Pens logo on the shoulder.
Jagr took a picture with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby and then another with the entire team. With the Kings now off the ice, the Pens skated to the side and Jagr skated a ceremonial lap and stopped on center ice. With the crowd standing, the 52-year-old spun around to wave at the entire arena and then would skate off for the first and only time to wear a Pens jersey at PPG Paints Arena.
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Got a good seat
Before the game Sullivan asked to describe what it’s been like to be around Jagr for the weekend.
“It’s been a great experience for all of us,” Sullivan said. “Jags was a player that all of our players looked up to when they were kids. I think he was an inspiration for everybody. I think our players really appreciated the opportunity to get to meet him, to be around him.”
“When he came on the ice with us at practice, I think they really enjoyed that experience. He’s a true inspiration to all of us. Our guys have really relished the opportunity to be a part of it.”
“These types of events don’t take place very often. It certainly is an honor and a privilege, coaches and players alike, to have the opportunity to witness this experience with a real good seat. I think all of us who had the opportunity to be around him for the last few days have certainly enjoyed the experience.”