Jagr, so often portrayed as the lone savior, wants to be seen as part of his team
You'll see Michael Sup on street billboards and posters all around Prague. Martin Straka is the captain of the Czech hockey team at the IIHF World Championships, and his assistants are Jaroslav Spacek and Martin Rucinsky. There's a lot of great talent on the host squad this year. But Jaromir Jagr is the poster boy of the team and probably of the entire tournament. He's the most wanted and the most stared-at member of the team.
Anyone who didn't know a single other player on the Czech roster would recognize Jagr's name for sure. But as far as he is concerned, he doesn't want to shine off the ice and be portrayed too much as a leader by himself. The 32-year-old star forward got about 20 requests for an exclusive interview from the Czech media alone before he arrived in his homeland prior to the tournament. He arranged a press conference where he answered all questions put to him and announced that he wouldn't give any face-to-face chats. The New York Rangers right winger came here for another reason.
But everybody wants to talk with him. From the Czech media to the Latvian media, from daily newspaper journalists to, let's say, to real estate or babysitter magazine writers. "Would it be possible to talk to him? Five minutes is enough," they say after every game and practice. Yet if Jagr complied with all requests for five minutes of his time, he could not just play and practice, but probably wouldn't have time for another big hobby of his besides hockey: getting a good, long sleep
"He needs quiet during the tournament if he is going to play the role of the pivotal individual, and it's something the management has to arrange," said former coach Ludek Bukac, who led Czechoslovakia to the World Championships gold medal in Prague in 1985, as well as guiding the Czech Republic to the title in Vienna in 1996.
The veteran superstar, called" Jagger" among his teammates, was the national team captain in Sweden in 2002. But Jagr has not accepted that role on home ice. He hasn't even become one of the assistants.
"I talked with coach Slavomir Lener about it," said Jagr. "We both know that it would be better if I could concentrate solely on my game. If I'm treated like just another member of the team, I might be more valuable for everyone."
Hockey is a collective sport. One player can't save an entire team. And Jagr's philosophy about this paid dividends in the team's first four matches. He scored three goals, including the game-winner versus Germany, and had four assists. Although prefering the role of the ordinary soldier, he stood out, sometimes dominating and deciding games. But he didn't visit journalists in the mixed zone for interviews as often as they probably would have liked. When he did, he left not after ten minutes, but after at least half an hour.
Jagr has had to face huge publicity ever since he started playing in the NHL. That was fourteen years ago, and he has learned how to handle it. He knows that there are other top-level quality players in the Czech team. He sees it as an injustice if he's always the most in demand.
But the media covers what people want to read, watch and hear about. Jagr has become a trademark. He is one of the highest-paid hockey stars in the world. He is an Olympic gold medal winner who hasn't played at the World Championships too often. And the tournament is being held in his native country.
Hockey fans devour his quotes, which are sometimes very witty, much as they lap up his on-ice genius. He has learned to be patient and tries to give answers to everyone, if possible. But he likes to have fun and feel that there's actually something for him to say. Just like when he's out skating on the ice. And of course, that's what it's all about.
Pavel Barta is the media relations manager for Team Czech Republic and is one of four international columnists that will contribute to IHWC.NET.
Mehdi,are you Czechmate25 on the other boards?He posted this & damn,the nastiness was unbelievable;I can't even POST at that place because when you mention a certain person the Code of Conduct goes out the window.(What do you expect for a man that "ruined" 3 franchises).For example:"I'd rather be a Bondra sniffer than a Jagr lover"
EDIT:And apparently the clientele over there got younger because now him & a poster is called "gay".Didn't that go out in sixth grade?
7/11/01-1/23/03. Caps Hockey.....ain't worth shit. "This is America! And in America, if something sucks, you're supposed to be able to get your money back."-Stan Marsh I'm the Weeping Willow,and I approve of this post.
This message has been edited by Jagr4Life on May 4, 2004 11:38 AM This message has been edited by Jagr4Life on May 4, 2004 11:34 AM This message has been edited by Jagr4Life on May 3, 2004 1:14 PM This message has been edited by Jagr4Life on May 1, 2004 3:32 PM
No, Willow. I'm no one but Mehdi on the other boards, and I have like 5 posts over there. I never go there unless someone posts a link to a thread here.
Willow, if it makes you feel any better, the Rangers were "ruined" long before Jagr arrived in January.
---------------------------------------------
"And the #1 draft pick goes to ::coughgagcoughhackhackgag:: the Washing::gaggag::ton Capi::hackgag::tals" G. Bettman 4/6/04
They're "supposedly" going to "upgrade" the boards(down the 4th-5th) & Code of Conduct(they have one)....now where I have heard that before?
7/11/01-1/23/03. Caps Hockey.....ain't worth shit. "This is America! And in America, if something sucks, you're supposed to be able to get your money back."-Stan Marsh I'm the Weeping Willow,and I approve of this post.
This message has been edited by Jagr4Life on May 4, 2004 11:40 AM
WashingtonCaps.com Message Boards under construction from May 5 - 7
In an effort to improve your experience on WashingtonCaps.com, we are upgrading our message boards. Beginning May 5 the Washington Capitals message boards will be temporarily shutdown for a short period and will be unavailable for posting. We expect the boards to be back and fully functional within 48 hours of being shutdown.
When the upgraded message boards are up and running, users will have to complete an initial sign-up process, which we estimate will take less than two minutes. When someone requests access to post threads to the new boards they will receive an email in which a reply will be needed in order to have posting privileges.
During the transition, the previous boards will be available in an archived format.
Some of the new and improved features include:
•A control panel that grants members increased flexibility over their board experience. For example, members can send and receive personal messages, choose their favorite skin and language packs and adjust the board settings to their preferences.
•An easy to use and comprehensive calendar will allows members to schedule private events or broadcast public events.
•Message board help with a searchable FAQ system.
Along with the new boards, we are implementing a revised Code of Conduct. Review the Code of Conduct here. Review the Code of Conduct here.
and here is THAT piece of work . . .
Washington Capitals WashingtonCaps.com Code of Conduct
By becoming a member of the Washington Capitals’ on-line community and making use of interactive areas, members agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct outlined in this document. Interactive areas include but are not limited to chat rooms, message boards, multimedia and contests.
Communicating in a chat room or on a message board is different from face-to-face communication. Only the words are seen, not facial expressions or tone of voice. Please pay careful attention to how words are used.
Remember, words entered in a burst of passion or indignant anger will be there for everyone to see, sometimes long after those intense feelings have passed. This is not meant to discourage spontaneity, but a reminder of the long-term existence and ramifications of posting to a message board.
Frequently there will be disagreements among those who post. Postings of differing opinions need to focus on issues and not on individuals. By using the Washington Capitals’ and American Eagle’s services, you agree that you will abide by the following Code of Conduct:
•Only one screen name or on-line personality per user. Signing on under multiple screen names to coerce and/or cajole other members into off-topic arguments or bickering is forbidden.
•Prohibited language, linking and/or posting includes but is not limited to: material that defames, threatens harm or abuses other members; any communication that is intended to harass, belittle, humiliate or embarrass a fellow member; any statement that is bigoted, hateful or racially offensive; material that contains vulgar, obscene or indecent language or images. Material or links to material that threatens harm to owners, employees or players of the Washington Capitals organization is strictly prohibited.
•Material that advocates illegal activity or discusses illegal activities with the intent to commit them is forbidden.
•Posting of unauthorized copyrighted material is forbidden. Any unauthorized copyrighted material posted will be removed and the copyright owner will be notified of the usage.
•Any communication that contains spam (multiple copies in one area or the same communication in multiple areas) is prohibited.
•Advertising or any form of commercial solicitation, including but not limited to tickets for Washington Capitals games or paid events, is not allowed.
•Material that impedes or otherwise prohibits communication, disrupts the discussion including, without limitation, using fan names in topical boards that are offensive to the topic, the team, the sport and/or its fans, and repeatedly posting off-topic messages in a topical message board is not allowed.
Statements or postings that violate the above terms will be deleted upon discovery. While the Washington Capitals may attempt to notify the offender upon moving or deleting a post, the Washington Capitals are under no obligation to do so. Depending on the nature of the violation, the Washington Capitals and/or American Eagle at their sole discretion may terminate a customer’s account.
___________
Play hard, shake hands, drink beer.
"LA needs two hockey teams like Switzerland needs two navies" -- Norman Chad (from "My 10-Point Plan to Save Gary Bettman from Himself")
"Playoff hockey is the best two months in team sports . . . period."
úŃrohibited language, linking and/or posting includes but is not limited to: material that defames, threatens harm or abuses other members; any communication that is intended to harass, belittle, humiliate or embarrass a fellow member; any statement that is bigoted, hateful or racially offensive; material that contains vulgar, obscene or indecent language or images. Material or links to material that threatens harm to owners, employees or players of the Washington Capitals organization is strictly prohibited.However,if you discuss in a non-derogatory manner and/or include in your screen name of a certain ex-Capital of Czech descent that begins with the letter "J",these rules are void.In fact,the more offensive,the better.Those fans are not welcome here & we highly discourage them from posting.
7/11/01-1/23/03.
Caps Hockey.....ain't worth shit.
"This is America! And in America, if something sucks, you're supposed to be able to get your money back."-Stan Marsh
I'm the Weeping Willow,and I approve of this post.
