Remembering Jack the Chimpanzee's elite skating stride

BarDown Staff

Jack the Chimp , Screenshot via AP

The world's Most Valuable Primate was once an elite skating playmaker.

Yes, we're talking about Jack the Chimpanzee, who starred in the 2000 movie MVP: Most Valuable Primate.

Accidentally sent to Canada by a doctor who taught him sign-language, Jack perfected his playmaking skills out on the ice with his silky soft mitts. Jack stumbled onto a deaf girl named Tara, who then introduced him to her older brother, Jack. Jack played junior hockey and invited the chimp out to practice one day, where sure enough, he was instantly a better skater than half of the team.

Just look at this amazing stride of his.

Jack the Chimp, Jack Hughes or Jack Eichel? • #Repost @bardown When you realize that Jack the Chimpanzee is a better skater than you. • Tag someone who skates worse than Jack.🙈🏒 • (🎥: @apnews)

A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official) on Jul 13, 2019 at 4:24pm PDT

Watching back through old clips on YouTube, you can see how elusive Jack was, often side stepping his opponents, or going right through their legs. Whether you needed a clutch goal, key breakout pass, an agitator to keep the other team in check, or zone time in the opposition's end, Jack was the ultimate play driver.