Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias included on Czech Republic’s hockey squad for Vancouver Games

Czechs announce hockey squad for Vancouver Games

PRAGUE — Former NHL superstar Jaromir Jagr has been included on the Czech Republic’s Olympic squad for February’s Vancouver Games.

The 37-year-old right winger is joined by forwards Patrik Elias of the New Jersey Devils and Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadians on the 23-man squad announced by coach Vladimir Ruzicka on Wednesday. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle also was selected.

Jagr was the NHL’s MVP in 1999 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and led the Czech Republic to the gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

He left the NHL in 2008 to join Avangard Omsk in the Russian League.

The Czech team defeated Russia to win the bronze medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics. Sweden beat Finland in the gold-medal game.