Advertisement

Jagr keeps Siberian city on its feet

OMSK, Russia, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Jaromir Jagr, the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League, has created a hockey ticket shortage in the small Siberian city of Omsk.

Jagr, the star right wing for the New York Rangers, arrived in this frigid city of 1.5 million Nov. 12, one of more than 50 NHL players who have sought refuge in the Russian Super League since the lockout began Sept. 15.

Advertisement

Jagr's contract is a reported $1.6 million to $2 million, and specifies he can leave at a moment's notice if the NHL lockout ends, the Los Angeles Times said.

Several North American veterans preceded Jagr in the trek to Omsk, some even before the lockout, including former Atlanta Thrashers goalie Norm Maracle, Alexander Guskov of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Oleg Tverdovsky of the New Jersey Devils, Yaroslav Bednar of the Florida Panthers and the Minnesota Wild's Maxim Sushinsky.

In Moscow, Los Angeles King veteran Alexander Frolov has temporarily joined the former Soviet army team CSKA in his native city for about $500,000. That's about the equivalent, in relatively low-tax Russia, of the $1 million he was making pre-lockout in L.A.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines