PRAGUE, Czech Republic - New York Rangers star Jaromir Jagr will lead the Czech national team at the world hockey championships, starting later this week in the Czech Republic.

Jagr will be accompanied by 14 other NHL players on the team selected by coach Slavomir Lener.

Jagr will play on a line with fellow former Pittsburgh Penguin Martin Straka of the Los Angeles Kings.

"We'd like to make the whole nation happy," Jagr told the Lidove Noviny newspaper Thursday. "I'll do the maximum, you can believe me."