Still competing in the Czech League at age 53, former NHL star Jaromir Jagr began his 38th season of professional hockey on Friday night.
The forward finished with 10:08 of ice time while playing on the fourth line in his season debut with his hometown Kladno Knights in a 3-1 defeat of Vitkovice.
Jagr, who made his pro debut with the same team at age 16, missed the first 14 games of the season with an injury. He was a player-owner for Kladno before selling a majority stake in the team last January.
By taking the ice on Friday, Jagr has once again delayed his selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The earliest date he could be enshrined now is 2029, due to the hall’s three-year waiting period after retirement.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jagr ranks second in NHL history in points (1,921) and fourth in goals (766) and games played (1,733).
The eight-time All-Star and 1998-99 Hart Trophy winner played for nine NHL teams over 24 seasons (1990-2017), including 11 seasons with the Penguins.
Jagr returned to Kladno after playing his final NHL game with the Calgary Flames on New Year’s Eve in 2017.
