From: lli+@cs.cmu.edu (Lori Iannamico)
Subject: Tocchet-Jagr revisited
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 16:38:53 GMT

This article appears in the Post Gazette today.  (Man, it's great having a
paper again!)  Tocchet speaks on the various rumors surrounding he and Jagr.
This is reprinted without permission of the Pgh. Post Gazette and Blade 
Communications:

TOCCHET DENIES ANY RUN IN WITH JAGR
by Dave Molinari
Post-Gazette Sports Writer

EDMONTON, Alberta - Rick Tocchet probably was added to the Wales Conference
all-star team because he is one of hockey's preimer power forwards.

And because Tocchet has put up some flashy statistics this season.

The again, maybe someone who has tapped into the NHL grapevine just decided
Tocchet would be good to have around in case Jaromir Jagr gets out of line.
OK, probably not, although the NHL offered no explanation when Tocchet was
named to replace teammate Mario Lemieux on the Wales roster.

And while Tocchet has a richly deserved reputation as an enforcer, there's
no evidence he's ever been moved to take disciplinary action - sanctioned
or otherwise - against Jagr.

Even so, a story that Tocchet gave Jagr an impromptu attitude adjustment
earlier this season continues to follow the Penguins around North America.

One serious flaw in the story is that some key details are a bit hazy.  
Like exactly what happened.  Where.  And when.  For starters.

One version holds that Tocchet went after Jagr following a practice at the
Civic Arena.  Or was it at a game day skate in Los Angeles?  Or after a 
game in Toronto?

Was their confrontation sparked by Jagr's belittling a teammate's salary or
because Tocchet didn't like Jagr's attitude in general?  Or possibly because
Tocchet wishes he has Jagr's rich mane of hair?

And did Tocchet simply raise his voice at Jagr, or did he give him a 2-
handed shove into his locker-room stall?  Or did Tocchet slip on a pair
of brass knuckles and leave Jagr in a bloody him on the floor?

Pick one pseudo-fact from column A, another from column B and a third from
column C, and you have the Tocchet vs. Jagr tale dujour.  Which should not
be confused with the Jagr-will-be-traded-before-sundown rumors that have
been so popular in recent weeks.

Of course, it merits mention that all concerned claim the story is 
unvarnished fiction.  Tocchet, who last week asked to become Jagr's 
linemate, vows he has not had a run-in of any sort.  Jagr says the same.

Their teammates are equally adamant, so if anyone actually saw a run-in
between these two, they apparently have enrolled in the federal Witness
Protection Program.

"I don't know how the story came up, but it's far from the truth," said
Tocchet.  Accurate or not, however, the story has had an impressive shelf
life.

Chances are the story's roots can be traced to Tocchet's fiery approach to
his work.  He has a strict policy of zero tolerance for anything less than
total effort.

(Paragraphs on Tocchet's style of play and contribution to the Pens 
deleted.  The following is the final paragraph of the article.) 

Presumably, this list includes several other things Tocchet does for his
team.  Along with all the things he is adamant about never having done to
Jaromir Jagr.

Lori
Contact for the Penguins
lli+@cs.cmu.edu



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