Jaromir Jagr bobblehead night will not have Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads, as the Pittsburgh Penguins announced Thursday their shipment of the fan giveaways had been stolen.
The Penguins said all fans attending the home game against the San Jose Sharks will receive a voucher that includes a one-time scannable barcode to get the bobblehead at a later date "when the items are safely located or new bobbleheads are produced and available for distribution."
The team learned it was the victim of cargo theft after it failed to receive the shipment of Jagr bobblehead dolls -- depicting the NHL legend with his famous "salute" celebration -- as scheduled before the game. The Penguins reached out to both the manufacturer and transportation companies and alerted state and federal authorities working to locate the stolen cargo.
It was determined that the theft likely occurred when the shipment arrived in California, according to the team.
"We were shocked to be a victim of cargo theft and we are working closely with local and federal authorities on the investigation," Penguins president of business operations Kevin Acklin said. "While this unfortunate incident adds to the legend of Jaromir Jagr, who will be in attendance as our guest at tonight's game, we look forward to resolving this theft and delivering the prized Jagr bobbleheads to their rightful homes, with our fans."
The team said there would be no further comment so as to "not hamper with the recovery of the goods."
Jagr had some fun with the news later Thursday, writing on social media: "Did anybody see my bubbleheads?? 18000 of them. Actually, I got one ,missing 17,999. Let me know. Thank you."
Did anybody see my bubbleheads?? 18000 of them. Actually, I got one ,missing 17,999. Let me know. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/a3IJwYZI91
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) March 14, 2024
The bobblehead night was part of a continuing celebration of Jagr's legacy with the Penguins, where he played for 11 seasons and won two Stanley Cups. His No. 68 was retired in February in a full-circle moment for Jagr, who used to be booed by Penguins fans as a visiting player during the rest of his NHL career, which included a stint with the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
"Jagr meant so much to not only this team and this organization, but to the city as a whole. You saw the fans' love for him and everybody's love for him," Penguins forward Bryan Rust said at the number retirement.
No doubt there will be more love on Jagr bobblehead night, even if there won't be any bobbleheads.
"When your real life job reads like an article in The Onion," Acklin wrote in a social media post. "The legend of Jagr continues."