PRAGUE -- Jaromir Jagr has benefited from his size throughout his career. When he turns his back to the play to shield the puck, it's very difficult for defenders to get around his big body to his long stick.
Jagr decided to give up some of that advantage this past NHL season. In an effort to keep pace with his young Florida Panthers linemates, he lost more than 20 pounds to get faster.
"I'm still somewhere around 105 kilograms (230 pounds) and I used to have 115 (253)," he said. "It's hard to skate with so much weight, when other players have 80 (176).