Former NHL great Jaromir Jagr becomes oldest active pro hockey player, scores at age 52

Published: April 18, 2024, 10:11 p.m.

Jaromir Jagr is a Pittsburgh Penguins legend. No matter where the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer has gone during a professional odyssey that’s spanned 30-plus years and three continents, Jagr has long understood where his hockey home is: the place where he arrived in 1990 as a teenager from eastern Europe shrouded in mystery, armed with a mullet that became his trademark and the kind of prodigious talent that eventually made him one of the game’s all-time greats. On Thursday, Jaromir Jagr became the oldest player to actively skate in professional hockey, surpassing Gordie Howe, with the Kladno Knights, his hometown team in the Czech Republic. But Jagr didn't want to just touch the ice – he scored shortly after coming on, his first goal after turning 52. He's still playing, and still scoring.

Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) reacts during warm-ups against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena. The Kings won 2-1.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) takes the ice during the warmup period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Saddledome. Carolina Hurricanes won 2-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) waves to the crowd at the conclusion of warm-ups against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) moves into position against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) during the warmup period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr touches the NHL Hart Memorial Trophy during a ceremony to retire his jersey number at PPG Paints Arena.
Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr (left) gestures to teammates during a ceremony to retire the jersey number of Jaromir Jagr at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins host the Los Angeles Kings after the ceremony.
Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr (right) looks on with girlfriend Dominika Branisova (left) and his mother Anna Jagrova (middle) during a ceremony to retire his jersey number at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins hosed the Los Angeles Kings after the ceremony.The Kings won 2-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins former right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) waves to the crowd at the conclusion of warm-ups against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at the American Airlines Center.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) battles for the puck with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom (77) during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Oilers won 7-5.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Flames 6-3.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) shoots the puck against the Dallas Stars net during the first period at the American Airlines Center.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates during warmups prior to the game against Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Stars during the first period at the American Airlines Center.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates during the warmup period against the St. Louis Blues at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Calgary Flames right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates in front of Calgary Flames bench during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Saddledome. Carolina Hurricanes won 2-1.