Jiri Hrdina talks about babysitting Jagr and Reichel

[Tomas]

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[Tomas]

I don't think I'll have enough free time to do the full translation, but a few highlights:

- Jagr was really depressed his first fall in Pittsburgh. Sat by himself, did not speak English, often on the verge of tears.
- His teammates weren't excatly helpful. Whenever they wanted to rattle or scare Jagr off, they threatened to cut Jagr's hair. Jagr asked Hrdina if they were serious - and said he would quit hockey if they were.
- His mood improved after Hrdina was brought in. Even though the other players "were rather jittery" when Jagr and Hrdina talked in Czech in the locker room. "At least they found out how Dzhegr felt when they talked about him."
- Hrdina would sometimes take him to "Sports Garden" bar. They had to promise to the security that Jagr would not drink. "That has never been a problem with him. To this day, he does not drink."
- Hrdina also taught him that interactions with fans are important. Before Hrdina arrived, Jagr would sit at home all the time. After his self-confidence returned, he started going to autograph signings, promotional events...
- Hrdina and Jagr signed their names with an iron nail at the bottom of the Stanley Cup base, after it has to be disassembled and dried off following the drowning in Lemieux's pool incident...
- Reichel ordered "ice cold [rooster]" in a bar once...

[Admin]

Wasn't the story that Hrdina was brought in to help out after Jagr was crying on the bench?

[jwest21]

Ice cold rooster?