Pittsburgh Penguins officially retire Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68
It was an eventful weekend, capped off by an outstanding ceremony honoring one of the best to ever play the game.
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially retired Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68.
He became just the third player in franchise history to have his jersey raised to the rafters, joining Michel Briere and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux.
The team held a ceremony before the Pens’ game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Built for Pittsburgh 💪@68Jagr's journey to Pittsburgh is a story of perseverance.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
Learning a new language and moving around the world wasn't always easy, but playing a sport you love? That's universal. pic.twitter.com/RVa8PWhX7v
The team released multiple video tributes for the 52-year-old, talking about his outstanding career, even talking about his epic mullet and style he fashioned during the 90s.
The man, the myth, the legend: @68Jagr. pic.twitter.com/cXSSCswD7E
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
To add to the fun, Jagr even skated with the Penguins at the team’s practice facility on Saturday.
Kris Letang telling Jaromir Jagr that Jags was his childhood idol is amazing 🥹💛
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 17, 2024
(via @penguins) pic.twitter.com/FYuSuJEWCQ
While he is still playing in the Czecha Extraliga for Rytíři Kladno, the team he co-owns, Jagr is one of the best to ever lace them up in the NHL. After playing his final game with the Calgary Flames during the 2017-18 season, Jagr is second all-time in points (1,921), behind only Wayne Gretzky. His 766 goals is good for third all-time, while he is fifth in assists with 1,155 helpers.
While the majority of his prime years came in Pittsburgh, Jagr ended up becoming a bit of a journeyman, playing with the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers before his time in Calgary.
Jagr is a five-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy, winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999. He is fourth in Penguins’ history in points (1,079), behind Lemieux (1,723), Sidney Crosby (1,556) and Evgeni Malkin (1,270)
Though the Hall of Fame has to wait for Jagr to retire before they can enshrine him among the great, he is going to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame this May in his home country during the World Championships.