Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr will play final professional season

Former Pittsburgh Penguin forward Jaromir Jagr has announced the 2024-25 season will be his final season playing professional hockey. He has played professionally for over 30 years and he is still contributing offensively.

Jagr entered the world of professional hockey in 1990 as the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him fifth overall in the 1990 NHL Draft. Coming into a difficult situation, he helped build the franchise up to become a dominant team throughout the 90's.

His dominance as a player led him to be one of the three best players in 10 years. It wasn't just that period of being dominant, he continued to be a prominent scorer this time in the NHL.

During his career, Jagr played with the Penguins, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and Florida Panthers during his 24-year career.

Jaromir Jagr was incredible during his NHL career and beyond

His totals are quite impressive and his career point total ranks among the best in NHL history. Those totals include 766 goals and 1,155 assists for 1,921 points in 1,733 games, along with a +322 rating in the plus/ minus department.

His last NHL stop was in Calgary with the Flames in 2018, then he was placed on waivers. After clearing, he was then on his way to Rytifi Kladno of the WSM Liga.

Some accomplishments he earned include winning the Stanley Cup twice (1991, 1992), a 10-time all-star, winning five Art Ross trophies, a three-time Ted Lindsay award winner, and a Hart Trophy during the 1988-89 season.

He will play the 2024-25 season for Kladno, a team for which he owns. On April 18, 2024, Jagr scored against VHK Vsetin to become the oldest player to score a goal in a professional game as he scored at 52 years old and 63 days old.

He would break the previous record held by Gordie Howe at 52 years old and six days old. This accomplishment would come one year after scoring his 1,000 professional goal in February 2023.

On September 19, 2024, Jagr confirmed he would not play hockey again after the 2024-25 season. Throughout his career, he was a consistent scorer who would ways to score even in the most difficult moments.

While he is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame, he does have a Hall of Fame resume, both in professional hockey, tournaments, and Olympic play.

In international play, he won four gold medals, five bronze medals, and one silver. For Kladno of the Czech league, he has 96 goals and 133 assists for 229 points in 255 games. In the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), he has produced 82 goals and 101 assists for 183 points in 187 games.

Jagr had a flair about him, a confidence that he was always the best player in the game. For several years, he may have been right. From the mullet to the celebratory salute when he scored goals, Jagr brought it all to the table.

He and Mario Lemieux made one of the most dangerous offensive duos in league history. Jagr will leave an impressive legacy behind.

But one thing that will not be talked about enough is his work ethic and dedication to the game of hockey. He will go down as one of the greats, not only during his time in the league but all-time.