WATCH: Czechia fans flood around Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr to show their love

By ARJUN B

Modified May 27, 2024 21:01 GMT

Video footage captured an incredible scene in the streets of Czechia after their national hockey team won the 2024 IIHF World Championship. Czechia defeated Switzerland 2-0 to claim their first world title in 14 years.

Following the monumental victory, fans flooded the streets in celebration. Among them was Czech hockey legend Jaromir Jagr. As soon as spectators recognized the legend, they flocked to him in droves.

Watch the video here:

The video shows Jagr walking down the street surrounded by adoring fans. People rushed to get pictures and high-fives from the hockey icon.

The crowd chanted his name while reaching out just to touch him. Jagr smiled and interacted with the fans, allowing selfies and giving high-fives. The love and appreciation for Jagr was palpable in the incredible scene.

Jagr has competed in a total of 1,733 NHL games through 24 seasons, accumulating 1,921 career points. He was part of the Pittsburgh Penguins for 11 seasons. He has switched between eight different teams during the remaining 13 years of his career.

Jaromir Jagr's induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame

Jaromir Jagr was inducted into the prestigious International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame. The 2024 class was announced with Jagr being one of eight hockey icons receiving the honor.

In his induction speech, an emotional Jagr paid tribute to his late coach Ivan Hlinka, who mentored him early on in his NHL career with the Penguins:

"When he coached me in Pittsburgh, he said, 'If you want to be great, you have to know the history of your game.' I remember that very well, and thinking that what he is trying to say is that every kid needs an idol.

"And when I was watching the World Championships and the Olympics, I was looking for an idol. I was looking for someone to say, he's a great player, I want to be like him."

Jaromir Jagr went on to acknowledge the players he idolized as a young fan watching international tournaments - from NHL stars to Czech legends:

“I started with Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Paul Coffey. Then Hakan Loob, Jarri Kurri, who was my favorite guy when I was young. I wanted to be a goalscorer like him. But also Czech legends Jaroslav Pouzar, Igor Liba, Nedomansky, Martinec, Novy, Pospisil. I loved them all.

"They're the reasons I became the player I became."

This IIHF Hall of Fame induction solidifies Jaromir Jagr's place among the very best players in the world.