Skip to content

Jagr ready for Hurricane Matthew: 'I want to see how strong I am'

Christopher Hanewinckel / Reuters

A major incoming storm doesn't scare Jaromir Jagr.

The Florida Panthers forward says he's prepared for Hurricane Matthew to make landfall in Florida.

"I'm okay," he told George Richards of the Miami Herald on Thursday."(Some) people have to survive two weeks without water, (so) I can try for two days."

As millions of Floridians began evacuating under Gov. Rick Scott's orders, Jagr tried his best to lighten the mood, telling Richards - with tongue planted firmly in cheek - that he isn't going to back down from the hurricane.

"I have to test my body, I want to see how strong I am." Jagr said.

"Everything's sold out. It's a great business for the U.S.," the NHL's elder statesman joked. "Maybe they're just saying that (there's a storm because) they just want to sell everything in the shopping (centers)."

On Wednesday, the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning postponed their preseason game because of the storm, and on Thursday President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida.

More than 100 people have died in Haiti as a result of the hurricane, according to The New York Times.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox