(Kladno) Jaromir Jagr was back in action on Thursday for the first time since his 52e birthday and he quickly scored a goal, as he surpassed the legendary Gordie Howe by becoming the oldest player to play regularly in a professional hockey game.
Howe, nicknamed “Mr. Hockey”, was 52 years and 11 days old when he played his last NHL game in 1980. He then made a single appearance on the ice during a Detroit Vipers game, International Hockey League, in 1997, at the age of 69. Howe died in 2016.
Jagr hadn’t played since February 10, five days before his birthday. He reunited with his Kladno Knights teammates on Thursday in the Czech Republic for the second match of a relegation series against the Vsetin club.
The former NHL star took advantage of a loose puck to give Kladno a 1-0 lead after just 1:59 of play. Jagr also had an assist in the game, his 16e during his 36e season in professional hockey.
Kladno won the match 7-2 and took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
During his break, Jagr notably visited Pittsburgh, while the Penguins retired his number 68 on February 18.
Jagr played 11 seasons with the Penguins, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992.
He got his start with Kladno as a teenager and returned to play with the club he now owns in 2018, after being released by the Calgary Flames. Jagr ranks second in NHL scoring in 1921.
We don’t yet know when he will hang up his skates.