Jaromír Jágr is currently in his 36th professional season with Rytíři Kladno, making him the oldest professional hockey player at the age of 52. On Thursday, he took to the ice and surpassed Gordie Howe’s record for the oldest player. Jágr, who also owns and operates the Czech team, scored in a 7-2 win over VHK Vsetín in Game 2 of their playoff relegation series, giving Kladno a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Jágr’s career began with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990 and he played there for 18 seasons before leaving for Calgary Flames in 2018. During his time in Pittsburgh, he missed several games due to injuries and spent time participating in Mario Lemieux’s adult fantasy camp. His No. 68 was retired by the franchise as a tribute to his enduring career and continued success on the ice.
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 Calgary Flames. During his time with Kladno, he has been instrumental in guiding the team to success and continues to be a valuable asset to both players and coaches alike.