Ex-Flyers star Jakub Voracek now coaches Jaromir Jagr

In some of the more strange Philadelphia Flyers related news this month, Czech reporter Zdenek Janda has revealed that longtime Flyer Jakub Voracek is now an assistant coach for Rytíři Kladno.

HC Kladno, of course, is owned by one-time Flyers winger Jaromir Jagr, who also serves as the team president. Jagr and Voracek played together in the NHL during the 2011-12 season as members of the Flyers, and that year happened to be both players’ first season (and Jagr’s last) in Philadelphia.

In fact, both players had played for what is now HC Kladno at some point in their careers. For Voracek, he played U20 and U18 hockey for HC Rabat Kladno before playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL prior to being drafted.

Jagr played his U18 and U20 hockey for Kladno when they were called Poldi SONP Kladno, and would return to HC Rabat Kladno during the 2004-05 lockout year. In the next lockout in 2012-13, Jagr played for Rytíři Kladno, and their name remains the same under his ownership to this day.

At the ripe age of 51, the two-time Stanley Cup champion still plays for Kladno, and has now enlisted his former teammate Voracek to coach the team. After 11 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season, Voracek is now unofficially retired despite being open to returning to the ice last season.

With his contract now belonging to the Arizona Coyotes and his job now in Czechia, it appears Voracek playing days have in fact come to an unceremonious close. Having only just turned 34 last month, the NHL vet’s new profession will have him coaching up someone 17 years his senior in Jagr, who likely knows more about the game than one could realistically fathom.

In addition to the NHL legend, Voracek will also be coaching former NHLers like Michael Frolik and Tomas Plekanec – who are also older than Voracek – and New Jersey Devils prospect Jaromir Pytlik.