How old is Jaromir Jagr? Former NHL legend makes history with Kladno club appearance

Bryan Murphy

How old is Jaromir Jagr? Former NHL legend makes history with Kladno club appearance image

When Jaromir Jagr left the NHL seven years ago, he was one of the oldest players ever to suit up at the highest level of professional hockey. The two-time Stanley Cup champion did not officially announce a retirement, but it was known his days in the NHL were over. 

Well, seven years later, and the legendary winger known for his luscious mullet is still flying up and down the ice. 

Jagr became the oldest player ever to play significant minutes in a professional hockey game when he took the ice for Rytiri Kladno, his hometown team. He surpassed Gordie Howe, who was 52 years, 11 days old when played his final NHL game in 1980.

Mr. Hockey later played a single shift at the age of 69 with the Detroit Vipers in the International Hockey League in 1997, so there is a caveat to that record. But it's still an impressive mark nonetheless. 

Jagr is the owner of the Kladno Knights, who play in the Czech Extraliga. While he had played in 15 games earlier in the season, he hadn’t suited up since Feb. 10 — five days before his birthday. 

He rejoined the Kladno club in the second game of a playoff relegation series against Vsetin, and the winger did not just participate — he contributed. Jagr found the back of the net on his first shift of the game en route to a 7-2 win for his hockey club, helping the team to hopefully avoid relegation. 

While Jagr spends most of his days operating as the team's owner, it has not been uncommon for the former NHL superstar to throw on a jersey to help his own club. He has played sparingly for Kladno for the last seven seasons, suiting up in at least 15 games the last five years. 

NHL PLAYOFFS: FULL BRACKET | | SCHEDULE | ODDS

How old is Jaromir Jagr?

Jagr is 52 years old. He was born on February 15, 1972. 

The former NHL stopped playing in the NHL during the 2017-18 season when he was 45 years old, making him one of the oldest players to suit up in the league. 

Oldest players ever to play in the NHL

Age truly is just a number when it comes to the NHL. 

There have been a plethora of players that have played hockey into their 40s. But only one player can say they've played in an NHL game while in their 50s and that's Mr. Hockey himself. 

After playing in the WHA, Howe suited up for one last season in the NHL, joining the Hartford Whalers for the 1979-80 season. 

Former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios is the next closest to the legendary Hall of Famer's record. He skated at the age of 48 when he was called up by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009-10 season. 

Player Age
Gordie Howe 52
Chris Chelios 48
Morris Roberts 45
Jaromir Jagr 45
Johnny Bower 45
Zdeno Chara 45
Gump Worsley 44
Doug Harvey 44
Lester Patrick 44
Jacques Plante 44
Tim Horton 44

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.