Jagr holds game in Prague to support Ukraine, gets donation from NHL

Jaromir Jagr
, the third-leading goal-scorer in NHL history, and Kladno, the team he owns in the Czech Extraliga, helped raised over $160,000 on Tuesday for refugees from Ukraine who have fled to the Czech Republic.

The money was raised through ticket sales for Kladno's regular-season finale, which was moved to the O2 Arena in Prague. The game drew a crowd of 14,512 in the 18,000-seat arena, with others buying virtual tickets for the cause.
Before the game, a video of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman pledging his support of Jagr and his cause was shown in the arena. The NHL also announced it was donating $68,000, in honor of Jagr's No. 68, to the fundraising effort. The $68,000 was part of the $160,000 raised.
"It is a great gesture," Jagr said about the NHL donation and the video message from Commissioner Bettman. "I have to personally shoot a video and thank the entire NHL, not only for the amount they donated but also for the promotion of this game. I think that thanks to [the NHL], every hockey fan knows about this game. And that is a great thing, maybe even greater than the money itself."

According to Vit Rakusan, Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled to the Czech Republic since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 23.
"I feel so sad when I see people fleeing and taking just one bag with them," Jagr said. "Mothers and kids part with their dads as the dads go fight and have no idea if they ever come back. The only thing they hope for is that the world will take care about their wives and children."
Jagr announced on Facebook on March 3 he was moving Kladno's final regular-season game, against Sparta, to the O2 Arena. Kladno has been playing home games at Rocknet Arena in Chomutov, Czech Republic, which has a capacity of 5,250. It has not played any games this season at its regular home arena, Zimni Stadion, which is being renovated and should be ready for the start of next season. That arena has a capacity of 5,500.
"We would dedicate the proceeds from the entrance fee to Ukrainian families," Jagr wrote. "I would like to make this happen in the O2 Arena, because it is a popular and modern arena, where a large number of people can come to help. I would like your opinion if you would come to the match and help us in this way those who need it the most at this time."

On Friday, Jagr wrote, "I am very happy to confirm that everything was successful even in such a short time. Now our only wish is to sell out the O2 Arena. Buy a ticket and help those Ukrainian families in the Czech Republic!"
O2 Arena is Sparta's home arena, but Kladno was the home team for the 4-1 loss.
Jagr has played for Kladno for four seasons since leaving the NHL following 2017-18. The 50-year-old forward scored 766 goals, third in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801), in 24 seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames.
Jagr is two goals ahead of Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. He ranks second in points (1,921) behind Gretzky (2,857)
Jagr won the
Art Ross Trophy
as the leading scorer in the NHL five times, the
Hart Trophy
voted as NHL most valuable player in 1998-99, and the
Stanley Cup
with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992.
He chose his uniform No. 68 to remember 1968, the year Soviet tanks entered Czechoslovakia to stop the Prague Spring.
"I would like to thank everybody who participated and helped," Jagr said. "The final score shows one team that won and the other team that lost the game, but this is a secondary thing. I think today, everybody won."
NHL.com/cs independent correspondent Michael Langr contributed to this report