Hockey Legend Jaromir Jagr Hints at Retirement After 38 Professional Seasons

Hockey icon Jaromir Jagr is considering ending his remarkable 38-year professional career. The 54-year-old former NHL star, currently playing for his hometown team in the Czech Republic, says it would take "a miracle" for him to continue playing.

PRAGUE — Hockey legend Jaromir Jagr appears to be nearing the end of his extraordinary 38-year professional career.

The 54-year-old hockey icon, who is currently playing his 38th season with the Kladno Knights in his native Czech Republic, hinted strongly that his time on the ice may be over.

“Probably not,” Jagr responded when asked about continuing his career in a recent Instagram interview posted Friday evening. “It would have to be a miracle. God would have to come, enter me and make me 15 years younger.”

Whether Jagr will take the ice again this season remains uncertain. The veteran forward, who celebrated his 54th birthday on February 15, has appeared in only six games for Kladno this season, with his most recent appearance coming on December 21.

The five-time Olympian, who helped lead the Czech Republic to Olympic gold in Nagano in 1998, revealed he has been spending his recent days following the Milan Cortina Olympics from home.

“I do nothing else but eat and watch TV,” he explained. With NHL players participating in the Olympics for the first time in twelve years, Jagr expressed his enthusiasm for the competition.

“It’s the best tournament in the last 10-15 years, certainly because of the presence of NHL players,” he noted. “The games are great.”

Beyond watching hockey, short-track speed skating, and figure skating, Jagr acknowledged he’s working to maintain his fitness after recently putting on 4-5 kilograms (9-11 pounds).

“It’s really about discipline,” Jagr explained. “The worst thing is when you don’t have to. Sometimes, it’s better when you have to. When you don’t have to, forcing yourself is the hardest thing.”

“I keep myself going. I try, I don’t train to be ready to play, but I try to go skating every day if I have time.”

Jagr first joined Kladno as a 16-year-old and returned to the club in 2018 after the Calgary Flames released him. He holds the distinction of being second on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, trailing only Wayne Gretzky. During his NHL career, he captured two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his first two seasons.

Through early last year, Jagr balanced dual responsibilities as both a player and owner of Kladno, juggling administrative tasks and sponsor recruitment alongside his playing duties.

He divested his majority ownership in Kladno last January during what he had previously indicated would be his final season, though he ultimately continued playing.

If he does return to action this season, Kladno would have an opportunity to reach the playoffs for the first time with Jagr on the roster.