Jaromir Jagr Reflects on His Hockey Career
As his illustrious hockey career appears to draw to a close, Jaromir Jagr is candidly reflecting on his future in the sport. Currently playing for the Kladno Knights in his home country of the Czech Republic, Jagr, who recently celebrated his 54th birthday, indicated that a return to the rink might be unlikely. In a late Friday Instagram interview, he stated,
“Probably not. It would have to be a miracle. God would have to come, enter me and make me 15 years younger.”
Current Season and Future Prospects
This marks the former NHL star’s 38th season in professional hockey, but he has only played a mere six games this year. His last appearance on the ice was on December 21, igniting questions about whether he will return for any further action this season. With his playing time limited, Jagr confessed to using his Sundays to watch the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina on television, stating,
“I do nothing else but eat and watch TV.”
Thoughts on the 2022 Winter Olympics
Highlighting the significance of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which featured NHL players for the first time in over a decade, Jagr expressed his appreciation:
“It’s the best tournament in the last 10-15 years, certainly because of the presence of NHL players. The games are great.”
Despite being sidelined, he remains engaged in maintaining his fitness after recently gaining a little weight, stating,
“It’s really about discipline. Sometimes, it’s better when you have to [train]. When you don’t have to, forcing yourself is the hardest thing.”
Career Highlights
Throughout his extraordinary career, Jagr has amassed numerous accolades, including representing the Czech Republic in five Olympic Games and securing gold in Nagano in 1998. He began his career at Kladno at just 16 years old and made headlines upon his return to the team in 2018 after being released by the Calgary Flames. Jagr holds a remarkable position as the second-highest scorer in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky, and earned two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Looking Ahead
Following a major shift in his role, in January of the previous year, he sold a majority stake in the Kladno franchise, hinting at a possible step back from the ice, although he continues to hold aspirations of playoff participation with Kladno this season, should he choose to continue playing.
