The Comeback Kid

So far, Jaromir Jagr is this year's comeback story in the NHL.  By Frank Smith

(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Everyone loves a comeback story in sports. This season, the Philadelphia Flyers gave Jaromir Jagr the chance for a comeback this season, and he has taken full advantage of it.

The past three seasons, Mario Jr. had played in the Kontinental Hockey League of Eastern Europe. In his longevity with the Avangard Omsk, mediocrity was all his squad could find. If he brought back his mullet, would they have done better? Nobody knows.

There is an interesting fact about his time in the KHL: Jagr was involved in a game where the world record of penalty minutes had been assessed. 840 penalty minutes in a matter of three minutes and thirty-nine seconds between the Omsk and fierce rival Vityaz Chekhov, resulted in a 5-0 defeat for both teams with no points awarded.

The true focus is on Jagr’s return to the NHL. Coming into the league in 1990 as the Iron Curtain fell, the strong and young right-winger went on to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

After the honeymoon went south in Pittsburgh, Jaromir was exiled to Washington to play for the Capitols and then to New York to suit up with the Rangers. That is when the long time skating legend made the move to Europe.

On July 1, 2011 the front office in Philadelphia placed a call to Jagr and offered him a one-year deal worth just over three million dollars. Not only did this offer give the Czech skater an opportunity to reach 650 goals, he could also work as a mentor to hockey-prodigy, Claude Giroux.

On the 29th of October, Mario Jr. put in number 650 and 651 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Some athletes leave the wrong way. Brett Favre is a prime example. Some leave while they’re on top. Just look at Michael Strahan. Others come back and wish they had stayed retired. Michael Jordon, sorry, at least you didn’t taint your legacy. A comeback story that’s successful is one of the most loved events in sports history. Though we will see how the season goes, Jaromir Jagr is on the right path; captivating Philadelphia sports fans, and dazzling defensemen on the ice.