When Jaromir Jagr left the NHL seven years ago, he was one of the oldest players ever to suit up at the highest level of professional hockey. The two-time Stanley Cup champion did not officially announce a retirement, but it was known his days in the NHL were over.
Well, seven years later, and the legendary winger known for his luscious mullet is still flying up and down the ice.
Jagr became the oldest player ever to play significant minutes in a professional hockey game when he took the ice for Rytiri Kladno, his hometown team. He surpassed Gordie Howe, who was 52 years, 11 days old when played his final NHL game in 1980.
Mr. Hockey later played a single shift at the age of 69 with the Detroit Vipers in the International Hockey League in 1997, so there is a caveat to that record. But it’s still an impressive mark nonetheless.
Jagr is the owner of the Kladno Knights, who play in the Czech Extraliga. While he had played in 15 games earlier in the season, he hadn’t suited up since Feb. 10 — five days before his birthday.
He rejoined the Kladno club in the second game of a playoff relegation series against Vsetin, and the winger did not just participate — he contributed. Jagr found the back of the net on his first shift of the game en route to a 7-2 win for his hockey club, helping the team to hopefully avoid relegation.
What’s 52-year-old Jaromir Jagr up to today?
Oh, not much. Just scoring a goal to help the team he owns avoid relegation. No big deal pic.twitter.com/UAYgQOyMBx
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 18, 2024
While Jagr spends most of his days operating as the team’s owner, it has not been uncommon for the former NHL superstar to throw on a jersey to help his own club. He has played sparingly for Kladno for the last seven seasons, suiting up in at least 15 games the last five years.
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How old is Jaromir Jagr?
Jagr is 52 years old. He was born on February 15, 1972.
The former NHL stopped playing in the NHL during the 2017-18 season when he was 45 years old, making him one of the oldest players to suit up in the league.
Oldest players ever to play in the NHL
Age truly is just a number when it comes to the NHL.
There have been a plethora of players that have played hockey into their 40s. But only one player can say they’ve played in an NHL game while in their 50s and that’s Mr. Hockey himself.
After playing in the WHA, Howe suited up for one last season in the NHL, joining the Hartford Whalers for the 1979-80 season.
Former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios is the next closest to the legendary Hall of Famer’s record. He skated at the age of 48 when he was called up by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009-10 season.
Player Age Gordie Howe 52 Chris Chelios 48 Morris Roberts 45 Jaromir Jagr 45 Johnny Bower 45 Zdeno Chara 45 Gump Worsley 44 Doug Harvey 44 Lester Patrick 44 Jacques Plante 44 Tim Horton 44