Jaromír Jágr scores in first game since turning 52 and overtakes Gordie Howe as oldest professional hockey player

Jaromír Jágr took to the ice Thursday for the first time since turning 52 and surpassed Hall of Famer Gordie Howe as the oldest professional hockey player.

Playing for Rytíři Kladno, the Czech team he owns and operates, Jágr scored during a 7–2 victory over VHK Vsetín in game 2 of the playoff relegation series.

Kladno’s win gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Howe was 52 years and 11 days old when he suited up for his last NHL game in 1980. He later played one shift with the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League in 1997 at age 69, but that record is for regular players. changes.

Jágr, whose NHL career began with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1990-91 season, hadn’t played since Feb. 10, five days before his 52nd birthday. Thursday was his 16th game of the season.

Jágr has missed time this season due to injuries. During his recovery, he spent time in Pittsburgh to attend former teammate Mario Lemieux’s adult fantasy camp and had his number 68 retired by the franchise.

During Jágr’s stay in Pittsburgh, a planned bobblehead night did not happen after the shipment of goodies was stolen during delivery.

Jágr is second in the NHL in scoring with 1,921 points and fourth in goals scored with 766. He played for nine teams during his 24-year career in North America.

Since leaving the Calgary Flames in 2018, Jágr has returned to play with Kladno.