Jaromir Jagr forever.
Hockey legend Jaromir Jagr skated in pre-game warm-ups with the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the team’s game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. The Pens retired Jagr’s No. 68 jersey in a ceremony prior to the game.
Not only did Jagr join the Penguins for one final skate, but the current players donned Jagr jerseys and put on mullet wigs to celebrate the Pittsburgh legend.
Check out this awesome scene below:
Thanks for joining us for warmups, @68Jagr 🫡 pic.twitter.com/EsfcYs9Bwt
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
“It was pretty emotional to see Jagr out there again wearing the Penguins uniform,” said longtime fan Dan Thompson, who was in attendance. “You could see how much it meant to him and the other guys to share the ice. The crowd was going crazy. I got chills.
One highlight from Jar’s skate was seeing Crosby and Malkin skating around and chatting with Jagr while rocking mullets. The Penguins captured a great photo of the three Pittsburgh icons together:
71. 68. 87. pic.twitter.com/VR4C0AvLIK
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
Jagr dazzled with his signature smooth skating and deft stickhandling during the warmups, even snapping a shot past goaltender Tristan Jarry at one point. But mostly he took it all in, exchanging laughs and hugs with his former team in a joyous celebration of the 11 magnificent seasons he spent in Pittsburgh.
The warm-ups wrapped up with Jagr taking a victory lap and giving the crowd his signature ‘Jagr salute‘. Truly a fitting send-off for the Pittsburgh legend.
The final salute from @68Jagr 🫡 pic.twitter.com/T8JQvDsQaz
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
Though his Penguins days are long past, Jagr continues playing professionally at age 52 for his hometown club HC Kladno in the Czech Republic league. But after this weekend’s emotional homecoming, it’s clear that no matter where Jagr’s legendary career takes him next, Pittsburgh will always hold a special place in his heart.
“Thank you Pittsburgh,” Jagr said in closing his retirement ceremony speech. “Thank you for all the amazing memories.”