Jagr plans to retire from pro hockey after this season
Jaromir Jagr is human, after all.
The legendary 52-year-old intends to finally retire from professional hockey following this season, he confirmed to The Athletic's Rob Rossi on Thursday.
Jagr last played in North America in 2017-18, but he's spent every campaign since then with the Czech Extraliga's Rytiri Kladno. He's a team owner and the president of his hometown squad, and he suits up for home games in addition to his executive duties.
He collected an assist in Kladno's season opener on Wednesday.
One day earlier, in an Instagram post written in his first language, Jagr apparently made reference to his "last season."
Jagr ranks fourth all time in the NHL in goals (766), fifth in assists (1,155), and second in points behind only Wayne Gretzky. He won the Stanley Cup twice in back-to-back seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins to begin his career in 1991 and '92, and he went on to play 11 of his 24 NHL seasons with the Pens, who retired his number in February.
He's ineligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame while remaining active overseas, but retiring from pro hockey will start the clock on the mandatory three-year waiting period.
Jagr also played for the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Calgary Flames. He ranks fourth all time with 1,733 games played and would've had more if he hadn't gone to the KHL for three seasons from 2008-11.
He's a member of the Triple Gold Club, which is comprised of those who've won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Championship. He won the Art Ross Trophy five times, claimed the Hart in 1999, and received the Masterton Trophy in 2016.