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Jagr Happy, Rich in Siberia

Former NHL star finds 'real freedom' playing (for big money) in outpost of Omsk

By Doug Sweeney, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2008 6:38 PM CST

(Newser) – Jaromir Jagr is far from New York, playing hockey in Siberia, yet he tells the Atlantic he’s happy in the outpost of Omsk. Indeed, his $11 million salary helps cushion the blow of not being re-signed by the Rangers. And "in Russia, you have the real freedom, which is not like US freedom,” he says. “Back there you have so many rules.”

The Czech-born Jagr played 17 years in the NHL, and still has the game to skate stateside. But a booming economy has gotten Russian teams into the bidding for top players. “As a kid I wanted to play for the NHL, and I never thought about Omsk,” he said. “But life is crazy. The world just moves so quickly.”

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Jaromir Jagr said he hoped to re-sign with the New York Rangers, but the Czech Republic native says he's happy with the "real freedom" and $11 million salary he has with his new Russian squad. (AP Photo)

Former NHL player Jaromir Jagr wears 68, commemorating the 1968 uprising in his native Czech Republic, with his new Russian team. (AP Photo)

In this Jan. 22, 2008 file photo, New York Rangers right wing Jaromir Jagr, of the Czech Republic, looks to pass during the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York. The NHL free agent shopping... (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr, right, celebrates with teammate Brendan Shanahan after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal... (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Jaromir Jagr in action with Avangard Omsk. (swe122)

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Czech Communists, not Soviets, imprisoned [my grandfather]. And to say I won’t come to Russia would be like saying I wouldn’t go to Germany because they started World War II. You have to let it go. - Jaromir Jagr, on wearing #68

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Jagr Happy, Rich in Siberia