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NHL legend Jaromir Jagr organizes game at O2 Arena to benefit Ukrainian refugees

War is never good for the world, I mean look at what WW1 and WW2 did for the earth.

Mass destruction, loss of human lives, and just utter disaster that affects generations and generations.

Something similar, be it on a small scale (as of now!) has been unfolding in the country of Ukraine after the Russian invasion, and for the aid of war-torn Ukraine and Ukrainians, many have come.

One such contribution has been initiated by NFL legend Jaromir Jagr through hockey.

The hockey icon said that his team Kladno will move its final Czech Extraliga regular-season home game to Prague’s larger O2 Arena, with ticket sales benefiting Ukrainian families seeking asylum in the Czech Republic following Russia’s invasion.

On March 8, the Knights of Kladno were set to meet HC Sparta Prague in their home arena, which seats around 5,200 people. Instead, the Knights will be the home team in Sparta’s arena, which can seat up to 18,000 people.

On Thursday, Jagr announced on Facebook that the home game would be moved to help Ukrainian families, and he surveyed Kladno supporters to see if they would still go, “to help those who need it the most at this time.”

Kladno announced the game’s official relocation to Prague on Friday (4th march) and directed fans on how they could buy the tickets.

“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!” wrote Jagr on Facebook.

Jagr, 50, has spent the last five seasons with his Czech team, Kladno. He last played in the NHL in 2017-18 with the Calgary Flames. Jagr finished his career with 766 goals in 1,733 games, three more than Alex Ovechkin, who has 763 goals in 1,251 games.

Kladno may face difficulties in selling out 02 Arena because the facility is substantially larger than the team is used to.

Kladno has played its home games this season at Rocknet Arena and in previous seasons at Zimni Stadium, both of which seat less than 6,000 people. The 02 Arena has a capacity of around 18,000 people.

Sparta, Kladno’s opponent on Tuesday, may gain from ticket sales because 02 Arena is its home ground. Although, Kladno will be the home team for this particular game as mentioned before.

NHL legend Jaromir Jagr chose jersey No. 68 to remember 1968, the year the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia to halt the Prague Spring. After nearly 30 years in the game, Jagr is using hockey to support the people of a Russia-invaded country once again.