6th December: "The passing of the torch"

As I start to write this to all the rest of the fans of the greatest player in the world, I would like to say "Welcome to Jammy's Insight." In around or on about 1989, I had a friend that had gone to the Czech Republic for a little visit. It was still called Czechoslovakia then. They new that Hockey was the love of my life and that nothing else really mattered. So thay went and checked out a couple of the Czech Elite games and taped them for me. I was amazed at the difference of the way the game was played there compared to here. It was so free flowing and full of excitment. They had told me that there was this young kid that I needed to check out. So I did. And WOW! Was I ever amazed! He did end to end rushes, going in and out of everybody defender on the ice. It was like he knew what they were going to do weeks before they even thought of doing something. I had made up my mind then. However drafts this kid I will cheer for. I knew that a kid of this calibre would definitely get drafted. And what a team to draft him, Mario Lemiuex as his teacher? How could anybody stop those two together?       On April 18, 1999, I was at home watching the Great One's last game ever played on NHL ice. And to be fitting it went into overtime. It was at this game that Jaromir had put the finishing touches on his second straight scoring title. Not only did he do this but he did it in fashion. He scored the overtime goal. After this was done the two most recognizable players met at centre ice to shake hands and wish each other well. Jagr said to Wayne "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that." Gretzky responded by saying "That's okay, that's what I used to say." The torch was passed. And Wayne said that at an after party held high atop the World Trade center in New York city. But some people in the Steel town say that that didn't happen then. They say that it happened when Mario Lemiuex retired. Either way whenever it happened, the torch has been passed. And the new ambassador has stepped into his rightful place and done his job well.       Since 1994-95, either Jagr or Lemiuex have won the Art Ross trophy--making it 6 straight years that a Penguin has won the award. As the Pens were getting ready for the 1999-2000 playoffs Jagr made a small speech to the rest of the team. On April 10, he said "I would like to do what Mario did. He brought the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh." And he has tried to do this the last two years. Two years ago (they were not even supposed to be there) the mighty Pens knocked off the New Jersey Devils in 7 games. And Jaromir had lifted them over the Devils. This past year in the playoffs they took out the Washington Capitols in 5 games, and again Jagr stepped up to the plate and raised the team over thier opponetts. But, (yet again) they were not suppossed to there. When will they learn that this is a team that can consistently make the playoffs every year? They are on of the most talent rich team sin the League. Well that is it for now. Thanks for reading Jammy's Insight. Let me know what you thought of this.

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