Jagr practices with Penguins before jersey retirement
Jaromir Jagr donned the Pittsburgh Penguins' black and yellow once again during the team's practice on Saturday.
The 52-year-old will have his iconic No. 68 retired by the team before Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, nearly 23 years after last playing for the Penguins in 2000-01.
Jaromir Jagr is on the ice with the Pittsburgh Penguins. #Pens pic.twitter.com/1U59v55Yin
- Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) February 17, 2024
Jagr played the first 11 seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh. He accumulated 439 goals and 1,079 points in 806 games with the Penguins, winning the Art Ross Trophy five times as well as the Hart Trophy in 1998-99, and captured the Stanley Cup in his first two seasons.
Jagr skates in and beats Nedeljkovic pic.twitter.com/lPv5SY6Cfk
- Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) February 17, 2024
Head coach Mike Sullivan told the franchise icon, "You're not a distraction, you're actually an inspiration," according to team reporter Michelle Crechiolo, after Jagr voiced concern before hitting the ice.
"I've never coached a 52-year-old. I'm not that much older," Sullivan, soon to turn 56, added, per NHL.com's Wes Crosby.
Jagr's stall was next to captain Sidney Crosby in the Penguins' dressing room. The two Pittsburgh superstars never played together, but Crosby did face the Czech power forward for numerous seasons.
"I mean, it's pretty special, I think, for all of us to be a part of this weekend and have an opportunity like this today," Crosby told The Athletic's Rob Rossi. "I think we're just trying to enjoy it and trying to make it the best experience for him, too."
It's happening! pic.twitter.com/vFvjfV7PMo
- Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 17, 2024
Longtime Penguins defenseman Kris Letang used the opportunity at practice to tell Jagr that he wore No. 68 when he was younger. He also asked to get his jersey signed after Sunday's game:
Letang to Jagr while wearing his mullet wig: "All my life I wore #68... You were my guy growing up." pic.twitter.com/eyjTDIKrJy
- Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 17, 2024
Jagr remains an active player in the Czech pro league with Rytiri Kladno, the team he owns. He has four assists in 15 games this season.
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