Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers is still rocking the National Hockey League, even at 44 years old. He is the fifth oldest position player to play in NHL History, which is not that far behind the third and fourth oldest (Doug Harvey, and Tim Horton). While he is nowhere near 52-year-old Gordie Howe, he is still breaking some pretty amazing records at his advanced age (by NHL Standards).
As of December 23, 2015, Jagr holds 23 NHL Records, as well as numerous NHL Awards, and overseas hockey awards, and honors. He has passed many milestones in the 2015-16 season and is setting the bar high for any player who wishes to follow in his footsteps.
Milestones Attained
Third Place All-Time Scoring
Jagr has scored 20 goals this season. While this is far behind league leader Alexander Ovechkin (38 G), of the Washington Capitals, he has reached the milestone of the third most goals in a single NHL career. With a total of 742 goals, he is now 59 goals behind Gordie Howe (801 G), and 152 goals behind the great Wayne Gretzky (894 G).
“There’s no reason to quit. I love the game. If I can play in the NHL, why not keep going?” – Jaromir Jagr
This particular milestone was achieved on February 20, 2016, against the Winnipeg Jets, and their goaltender Michael Hutchinson.
Jagr’s outstanding goal scoring started in the 1990-1991 NHL Season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, his highest season goal mark came in the 1995-1996 season with Pittsburgh (62 G).
While he hasn’t been able to touch that mark in a while, he has still been consistently productive throughout his career. Sure, the numbers have dipped a bit in the later years, but he is still consistently hovering near the 20 goal mark, even now.
Oldest Player to Score The Hat-Trick
Clearly, Jagr’s age is just a number as it has done little to hamper his effectiveness on the ice. On January 3, 2015, Jagr scored a hat-trick against the Philadelphia Flyers, while he was with the New Jersey Devils. At 42 years and 322 days old, Jagr passed Nicklas Lidström for the oldest player to score a hat-trick. Lidström was 40 years old at the time he accomplished the same feat.
While Jagr hasn’t had a hat trick since, he’s still been producing all the while and is likely hoping to get at least one more before he’s done. If anyone can accomplish it this late in their career, it would be Jagr.
1,100 Assists in One Career
Just recently, on February 4, 2016, the legendary Jagr checked off another milestone, as he took over sixth overall for assists in his NHL career. And, he will undoubtedly keep adding to that total this season. He is currently 32 assists off of fifth on the All-Time Assists list, behind Paul Coffey (1,135 A).
The milestone assist came off of a goal from Alex Petrovic against the Detroit Red Wings.
Jagr (23 A), is far off of the pace for first place (Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson with 54) this season, but he is still racking up an impressive number of assists.
Jagr at the All-Star Game
Jagr has been a part of the NHL All-Star game quite a few times. He was an All-Star from 1992-1994 (Pittsburgh Penguins). Then, after a couple years playing in Europe, was back on track from 1996-2004, when he played with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers. After an 12 year break, he was voted back in, as a captain for the Atlantic Division, in 2016 – a game he didn’t want to participate in.
“I asked the fans don’t vote for me. They didn’t listen. I think they didn’t like me much, so they want to see me dead. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” – Jaromir Jagr
Despite his age, Jagr was able to showcase his skills, as well as 3-on-3 ability during the round robin tournament.
A moment that no one will soon forget came during the Breakaway Challenge. P.K Subban, the ultimate winner of the challenge, dressed up like Jagr. He had a ‘mullet’ wig (Jagr’s early trademark), his Panthers jersey, and even skated a bit slower (with little to no ‘big’ skills). While it may have seemed like a joke, it was actually a tribute to a player who many of the young All-Stars looked up to as they learned the game.
Along with his numerous selections, he was also voted “First Team” All-Star in 1995-1996, 1998-2001, and 2006. He was Second Team in 1997.
An Unusual Stanley Cup Record
While Jagr only has two Stanley Cup championships (1991 and 1992 with Pittsburgh), he does hold a couple of odd records relating to the Stanley Cup. He holds the record for the longest gap between Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
Jagr was a fresh faced kid in 1992 with Pittsburgh (above), especially when compared to his next appearance(below). Flash forward 21 years to 2013, and Jagr has cut off the mullet (though he is growing it back), gained a bushy (graying) beard during his time with the Boston Bruins.
http://gty.im/170145775
Sadly, the Bruins lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, and Jagr has been unable to get back the the Finals since. But with the way the Panthers are playing, Jagr will get back to the playoffs and perhaps make it back to the NHL’s biggest stage once more. The hope is to get at least one more chance to raise the Stanley Cup.
Oldest Player to Hit 60 Points
While with the Devils in the 2013-2014 season, Jagr completed a remarkable season. In his early 40s, he had a 67-point season (24 G, 43 A), making him the oldest player to ever do so. Jagr’s numbers dipped back to 49 points last season, but he is making a run for another 60 point season this year. He has 43 points on the season with 23 games remaining.
3 Stars of the Week: https://t.co/QhvdKb7pKo
1. Jaromir Jagr
2. Erik Haula
3. Craig Anderson pic.twitter.com/WDwg3GDuIK— NHL (@NHL) February 22, 2016
Jagr may be getting older, but his career appears to be far from over. The way he is producing and leading teams at his age is beyond remarkable, and is a testament to the type of player he has always been. It can only be assumed Jagr will try his best to lead Florida to the Stanley Cup Finals, and go for his third cup.
The biggest question is when will Jagr decide to hang up his skates for good. Even though he has proven there is still a lot left in the tank, the thought has to have filtered into his thoughts at some point. For the the rest of the hockey world, that answer will have to wait. Jagr is having too much fun to quit just yet.
He has found the fountain of youth in Florida’s young locker room, and as long as a Stanley Cup is within reach it would seem that Jagr will remain on the hunt.
