HIGHLIGHTS
- Jaromir Jagr is retiring from pro hockey after 2024-25
- Jagr played 37 seasons of pro hockey between 1990-2024
- Read below for more details about Jagr’s retirement
Jaromir Jagr is officially hanging up the skates (for real this time).
The 52-year-old NHL legend has stated he plans to retire from professional hockey following the 2024-25 campaign. Jagr will retire with his current hometown team, HC Rytíři Kladno of the Czech Extraliga.
Jágr confirmed the news in a phone interview with The Athletic’s Rob Rossi on Thursday, September 19, 2024. He hinted at it being his “last season” in a Czech-language Instagram post earlier in the week.
“Would you be interested in my jersey from my last season?”, Jagr asked his 700,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday.
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Incredible Career Longevity
We can’t even begin to describe how incredible Jarimir Jar’s career has been. The Czech superstar played in 37 professional seasons and over 2,000 professional games in his hockey career. Jagr officially owns the longest playing career in professional ice hockey history.
Jagr’s NHL career spanned 24 seasons from 1990 to 2018, with stints on nine different teams. After leaving the NHL in 2018, he continued playing for the team he owns, HC Rytíři Kladno in his native Czech Republic.
NHL Accomplishments
Jágr is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history. His 1,921 points rank second all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky.
Let’s take a look at some of Jagr’s other notable NHL achievements to truly appreciate his greatness:
| Achievement | Number |
|---|---|
| Stanley Cup championships (with Pittsburgh) | 2 |
| Art Ross Trophies (NHL scoring champion) | 5 |
| Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) | 1 |
| NHL All-Star selections | 8 |
| Game-winning goals (NHL record) | 135 |
International Success
In addition to posting consistently exceptional numbers at the NHL level, Jagr was also a star on the international stage.
| Event | Gold | Bronze |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 1 | 1 |
| World Championships | 2 | 2 |
Jagr is officially a Member of the Triple Gold Club (players who have won the Stanley Cup, Olympics, and Worlds). Notably, he’s one of only two Czech players to accomplish this feat.
Playing Style and Legacy
Jagr’s impact goes way beyond his impressive stats and accolades. Jágr was known for his distinct power forward style – using his 6’3″, 230 lb frame to control the puck and fight off defenders in a way few others could. He twisted, turned and shielded the puck with unparalleled lower-body strength.
This guy didn’t just dominate the NHL – he revolutionized Czech hockey. Mullet-wearing kids from Prague to Kladno were pulling Jagr moves in their backyards, dreaming of the big leagues. His sick puck skills and passion for the game inspired players around the glove.
Jagr’s retirement will mark the end of an era. His unique combination of skill, strength, longevity, and passion for the game made him a once-in-a-generation player. Jagr cements his place among hockey’s all-time greats as he hangs up his skates after an incredible 37-season pro career.