LATEST | 51-year-old NHL legend makes his decision about his playing career

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
April 22, 2023 (10:09)

SHARE THIS STORY

By the time someone turns 51, they've already been done with professional hockey career for at least ten years or so and have either moved onto an off-ice role or are enjoying their retirement with their family.

Well, that's not the case with former NHLer and future Hall of Famer, Jaromir Jagr. Jagr returned to the Czech Extraliga team he owns back in December after an illness caused several players to miss time, forcing the 51-year-old back into action.

Jagr still managed to be productive in his time with Kladno this season, putting up 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 26 regular season games and helped them stay in the top division once again, which helps the team quite a bit on the financial side of things.

Recently, Jagr was asked what his plans were for the 2023-24 season and he responded by saying that he still enjoys playing hockey and is contemplating on returning for another year.

"I still enjoy hockey. It's frustrating when I'm used to certain performances that I'm not giving. The advantage is that as the owner I am always inside the club so I know what is going on. That's a big plus. It's more about the fact that preparing for a match isn't just about coming and playing for fifteen minutes. And go to training sometimes. At my age, regeneration, extra training is needed. Which takes way more time than I'm able to give it. Sometimes it takes a whole day to prepare for one game, plus travel. And then you think that you could handle much more important things."

The Kladno native's team had a handful of former NHLers or ex-NHL prospects this season including long-time Montreal Canadiens centerman Tomas Plekanec and former Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Jake Dotchin.

Whenever Jagr decides to hang up the skates for good, there's no doubt that when his time comes, he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer.