Legendary hockey star Jaromír Jágr is hanging up his skates after a remarkable 37-year professional hockey career. The 52-year-old winger has played in multiple leagues around the world, including the NHL, Czech Extraliga, and KHL, and has won countless awards and championships.
Jaromír Jágr's illustrious hockey journey has reached its twilight. The icon has announced that the 2023-24 season will be his last, bringing an end to an extraordinary career spanning 37 seasons.
Jaromír Jágr to Retire After 37 Seasons of Professional Hockey
Jágr's professional hockey debut came in 1987-88 for Poldi SONP Kladno in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. His NHL debut followed in 1990-91 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he would become a dominant force over the next decade.
During his tenure with the Penguins, Jágr won two Stanley Cups (1991, 1992), the Art Ross Trophy (1995, 1998, 1999), and the Hart Trophy (1999). He also represented the Czech Republic at the World Championships, winning gold in 2005 and 2010, and the Winter Olympics, claiming gold in 1998 and bronze in 2006.
Jaromír Jágr to Retire After 37 Seasons of Professional Hockey
In 2004, Jágr left the NHL for a brief stint in the Russian KHL before returning to North America in 2007 with the New York Rangers. He played in the NHL until 2018, making stops in Philadelphia and Florida before returning to his hometown club, Kladno, in the Czech Extraliga.
Jágr is the NHL's second-highest scorer of all time, behind only Wayne Gretzky, with 1,921 points (766 goals, 1,155 assists) in 1,733 games. He holds the NHL records for most game-winning goals (135), most goals and assists by a right wing in both a season and a career, and most consecutive 30-goal seasons (15, tied with Mike Gartner and Alex Ovechkin).
Jaromír Jágr to Retire After 37 Seasons of Professional Hockey
In addition to his NHL accolades, Jágr was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. He also won the Czech Golden Puck award as the league's MVP a record five times.
Off the ice, Jágr has been an ambassador for the sport and a role model for young athletes. He has also been involved in various charitable efforts, including supporting children's hospitals and youth hockey programs.
As he prepares to retire, Jágr leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations of hockey fans. His exceptional skill, longevity, and unwavering passion have made him one of the most iconic players in the history of the game.
