Jaromir Jagr, 52, will finally hang up the skates after an incredible professional hockey career that spanned over three decades.
Jagr’s agent, Jaroslav Zidek, revealed the news while speaking to Match TV. Zidek said the 2024-25 season will be Jagr’s last and the winger will retire at year’s end.
“Jaromir announced that this season will be his last in his career,” Zidek said as translated by Google Translate. “He loves hockey very much. He is in good health, and that is why he continues to play. He is now the oldest athlete who continues to play hockey.”
Jagr decided on Wednesday before the Kladno Knights’ first game of the season against Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga. Jagr tallied an assist in the 5-1 loss – an assist on a power-play goal. Jagr not only plays for Kladno but is also the team’s president and owner.
Jagr, who turns 53 in February, tallied four assists in 15 games last season but did not score a goal. As for what’s next for the two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, the agent pointed out that Jagr is already a pretty busy guy.
“As you know, he is the president of the Kladno club, and he is also on the board of the Czech Ice Hockey Federation,” Zidek said. “What he will do after finishing his career, in addition to the positions he holds, I don’t know, we’ll see.”
Documenting much of his preseason and training on his Instagram page, Jagr has consistently shown that he remains a high-level player with incredible fitness despite his age, displaying a legendary durability matched only by Gordie Howe in the past.
Jagr, who made his professional debut for TJ Kladno in Czechoslovakia during the 1988-89 campaign, has played 37 seasons of professional hockey, including 24 in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Calgary Flames. Jagr scored 766 goals — the fifth most in NHL history — and tallied 1,921 points — second most only to Wayne Gretzky. His final NHL goal was assisted by Johnny Gaudreau when both were members of the Flames during the 2017-18 season.
In February, Jagr had his number 68 retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“I don’t know how much time I have but it’s my day so I’m going to make it as long as I want,” Jagr joked.
Jagr also practiced with the team, sharing the ice with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Jagr will be eligible to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2028, as players must have been retired for three years before becoming eligible.
Congratulations, Jaromir, on an incredible career.
