Robitaille had been traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Penguins in July. With the Kings, he had scored more than 50 goals in a season three times, including a career-high 63 in 1992-93, and reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. Even so, he learned something from Jagr in their time together.
"He was in the gym," Robitaille said. "He was doing a lot of leg weights. He was so strong in the corners. I was learning from him from that standpoint."
At 50, Robitaille is six years older than Jagr. He has been the Kings' president of business operations since 2007. Like many others in the hockey world, he is amazed by Jagr's longevity.
"Absolutely, this guy has taken a beating throughout his career," Robitaille said. "Before all the hooking rules, this guy was getting hooked all the time. I never thought he'd last this long and it's amazing he has. Credit to him."
There were many glimpses of Jagr's fun-loving spirit in those early Pittsburgh days. Robitaille remembered bringing his 6-year-old son Steven to a practice during the season he played with Jagr. After Jagr played a practical joke on Steven, father and son maneuvered to get revenge.
"Because he had the long hair,' Robitaille said with a laugh, "we put baby powder in the hair dryer."
