Jaromír Jágr has just surpassed Gordie Howe as the oldest professional hockey player at 52 years old. This was during a game with Rytíři Kladno, where he scored in a 7-2 win over VHK Vsetín, taking Kladno’s lead to 2-0 in their playoff relegation series.
Jágr began his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990 and Thursday’s game was his 16th of the season, having missed time due to injuries. Prior to that, he spent time in Pittsburgh participating in Mario Lemieux’s adult fantasy camp and had his No. 68 retired by the franchise.
Despite his accomplishments in the NHL, where he ranks second all-time in scoring and fourth in goals scored, Jágr has been playing intermittently with Kladno since leaving the Calgary Flames in 2018. During his time in Pittsburgh, a planned bobblehead night was canceled after the shipment of giveaways was stolen during delivery. Jágr’s enduring career and continued success serve as a testament to his dedication and passion for the game of hockey.