Mullets, matching sweater numbers, and a deep friendship with one another, the group known as the ‘Traveling Jagrs’ was a sight to behold – and a sight sorely missed in stands across the league. Their last notable appearance was in February 2024, when their namesake Jaromir Jagr had his jersey retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
However, there has been another notable group to spring up over the past year, also sporting matching jerseys and deep friendships – also going to the ends of the earth to support their guy. Perhaps they lack the distinct hockey hair, but they are hockey guys, nonetheless – and they’re about to represent Seth Jarvis fans everywhere on the world stage.
Air Canada Sponsors Jarvis’ Friends Flights
It didn’t come so easily for the posse. The original plan was to spend a week with their friend in Raleigh, but after Jarvis was informed he would be Team Canada’s injury replacement for Brayden Point, those plans were flipped on their head. It was the final day of NHL hockey before the 2026 Winter Olympic break, and Jarvis scrambled to get himself to Milan on time.
But for the band of friends, a large obstacle stood in their way: actually getting there.
“We’re doing our best to get to Italy,” Matthew McLeod told Dave McCarthy on NHL Radio’s Sunday Brunch on SiriusXM. “We’re all University students, so, you know, money’s a little tight for us, so we’re trying to find some sponsors to help us get out there.”
Mcleod made a big splash on social media in a search for sponsors, with some help from Hurricanes fans and journalists alike, who attempted to get the attention of multiple groups, including Team Canada’s commercial airline partner, Air Canada.
Tuesday, on an Instagram post by the NHL, Air Canada reached out to Jarvis through the comment section, offering their services for his entourage, which was quickly accepted.
“We’re ecstatic for him,” McLeod told CBC reporter Karen Pauls. “Once in a lifetime opportunity for himself, and for us just to be able to go out there and support him is really something incredible for us.
“Air Canada’s really helping us out. They’re doing miracles for us just to get us there, and we can’t thank them enough for everything that they’re doing for us.”
As the friends embark on yet another trip, it is hard not to draw similarities to the Traveling Jagrs. Both groups have become legends, though instead of donning a variety of No. 68 sweaters representing the centipede-esque legs of Jagr’s career, they’ll wear the unified colors of Team Canada.
Now Jarvis just needs to acquire a mullet, and the spiritual succession of the Traveling Jagrs will be complete.
