Greg Wyshynski, ESPN’s senior NHL writer, reported that the missing Jaromir Jagr bobblehead dolls have finally been found. The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Monday that they have successfully secured the shipment of bobblehead dolls that were previously reported as stolen on March 14.
Kevin Acklin, the Penguins’ president of business operations, revealed that last week, the team was informed that a specialized cargo recovery team had negotiated the return of the stolen property. The bobbleheads were safely recovered and placed in a secure warehouse located in Ontario, California.
On Monday, a truckload of Jagr bobbleheads arrived in Pittsburgh, and they are slated to be delivered to PPG Paints Arena within the coming week. Acklin took to social media to express his sentiments, teasing a potential movie deal with Jean-Claude Van Damme, referencing the actor’s 1995 action film “Sudden Death,” which was set during a Penguins playoff game at their former arena.
The ordeal began when the Penguins realized they had fallen victim to cargo theft after failing to receive the scheduled shipment of Jagr bobblehead dolls ahead of their game against the San Jose Sharks on March 14. The bobblehead night was part of an ongoing celebration of Jagr’s legacy with the Penguins, where he enjoyed 11 seasons and clinched two Stanley Cups. His iconic No. 68 jersey was retired in February.
Following the theft, the Penguins immediately reached out to the manufacturer and transportation companies and also enlisted the help of state and federal authorities in their efforts to locate the stolen cargo.
Jagr himself got involved in a light-hearted response to the theft, assisting the Penguins in producing a social media clip featuring him and a bobblehead doll embarking on a quest to find the missing shipment.
Acknowledging the unfortunate incident, Acklin stated, “While this unfortunate incident adds to the legend of Jaromir Jagr, we look forward to resolving this theft and delivering the prized Jagr bobbleheads to their rightful homes, with our fans.”
Fans who attended the March 14 game received vouchers containing one-time scannable barcodes to claim their Jagr bobbleheads at a later date.
The Penguins have announced that the recovered bobbleheads will be distributed to fans holding these vouchers during their April 6 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, on April 7, the team will offer a “drive-thru pick-up option” at PPG Paints Arena from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. local time.
