Hello you Jagr fans! Well let me introduce myself, my name is Amélie and I am living in Québec city. I passed most of my childhood at "Le Colisée de Québec" to see the Quebec Nordiques playing and I grew up in a hockey culture as many of my Quebecer country fellows. I discovered the rest of the NHL, as well as Jaromir Jagr and the Pittsburgh Penguins, after the Nordiques departure from Québec city to Denver. I must admit that I've lost the hockey passion for a while because NHL becomes so stupid in some points.(you know what I mean) The only players that made me like hockey were Ray Bourque and our beloved Jarda. Although , with Mario Lemieux's coming back, it forced me to watch hockey again (as many other people I guess).

It is quite interesting for the NHL that Mario Lemieux decided to come back
His return has a huge impact on the whole North American hockey. As I was watching the game of the Pens against the Habs, there was a interview made with a hockey equipment store owner in the Molson Center. He said the he couldn't believe it himself how much people would buy any products not only of Lemieux but also of Jagr and the Pens as well. There is a major increase in the selling of Jerseys with the 66 (already rare)printed on it, hockey sticks and all pieces of equipment associated to Lemieux. At first glance, it may seems that Lemieux is returning for the commercial impacts but I'm not quite sure about it!

But let me have a little doubt concerning his return. Lemieux hasn't been known for his great physical fitness but rather his skill related fitness. I remember that, once, I was reading his biography and he told himself that when he was a young hockey player, he could hardly run a 5 km and admitted that he hates hard physical workout. It could be difficult for him after 3 years but as Jan brought up in her last article, he fought against major diseases with his back and also Hodgkin's disease so he could maybe be in shape again.

Well finally, Lemieux's return had surprised many people, me included. But the point I want to make with that article is that, even though it seems a "commercial" return and that he "could" not be in shape when he comes back, after three years retired, someone really has to LOVE hockey to come back in the game. In a time when NHL loses popularity, Mario will help hockey to gain its popularity in North America and give back the people their hockey passion…. So lets not us put too much pressure on him but just enjoy the great skills and the great plays that this magnificent hockey player can do…. I'm so eager!!!!

Let me know what you think!!! Especially if you disagree, Write me: amelieb20@hotmail.com