Thirty years after contributing to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ consecutive Stanley Cup victories, Jaromir Jagr had his jersey retired on what was officially declared Jaromir Jagr Day in the city.
Jagr, the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer and a pivotal member of the Penguins’ championship teams in 1991 and 1992, witnessed the raising of his No. 68 jersey to the rafters before the Penguins’ Sunday game against the Los Angeles Kings.
He joins Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere as the third Penguins player to have his jersey retired.
68 forever pic.twitter.com/48Gx5ko5ha
— Jaromir Jagr of Anarchy (@PensOfAnarchy) February 18, 2024
The ceremony commenced with a video tribute to Jagr’s achievements in Pittsburgh.
Jagr concluded his Penguins career with 1,079 points and 439 goals, ranking fourth in team history behind Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin.
Mario Lemieux was present during the 40-minute ceremony, during which Jagr expressed to fans that his 11 years in Pittsburgh were “probably the best years of my life.”
“Today, all the highlights, videos, goals, even the hair, great memories,” Jagr reminisced.
Following his participation in Penguins practice on Saturday, Jagr joined the current team for warmups before Sunday’s game against the Kings.
Jagr: "To be here with you, hearing the cheers – I don't even have to score, that's beautiful. That never gets old. I'm honored."@68Jagr speaks to his fans ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FqJQmJx7RC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
To honor Jagr’s iconic mullet, the rest of the team wore wigs during warmups.
After joining the Penguins for a team photo, Jagr skated alone on the ice, acknowledging the crowd at PPG Paints Arena with a salute that garnered a standing ovation.
Jagr enjoyed a 24-year NHL career, playing for several teams including the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and Calgary Flames.
A final salute for Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh.
What a fitting ending to his jersey retirement night 🫡 pic.twitter.com/3xgLQdTaF3
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 18, 2024
However, his most memorable moments and both of his Stanley Cups were with the Penguins.
“When you ask anybody in the world, Czech, Europe, and you say ‘Jaromir Jagr,’ they’re going to say Pittsburgh Penguins,” Jagr addressed the crowd at PPG Paints Arena.
At 52 years old, Jagr continues to play hockey in the Czech Republic for the Kladno Knights, a team he owns.
