52 year old Jaromir Jagr dazzles in final season opening game

The term 'living legend' gets thrown around too often these days.

But in case of future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr, it's completely warranted.

Jagr entered his 37th and final professional season last night, scoring an assist for his hometown Kladno Knights at the age of 52. Like I said... living legend.

Jagr has announced that this season will be his final pro season, but... well... he has said that for the last couple seasons now but he somehow keeps managing to find himself back on the ice. The truth of the matter is that as owner of the Knights, Jagr knows how valuable his presence is to the team not just on the ice, but for marketing purposes as well. Kladno sells a ton of '68' jerseys but Jagr's inclusion on the roster is more than ceremonial. He helped the team ascend back into the upper ranks of the Czech Extraliga back in 2021 after a few middling seasons in the 2nd division. His play dropped off considerably last season, but if this assist from last night is any indication, he hasn't lost his touch just yet.

Check it out:

Again, like I said... living legend.

Just look at him out here fighting for loose pucks and taking bumps from guys less than half his own age.

Part of me wants to see Jagr finally retire so that we can celebrate his outstanding career and see him enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. And yet part of me also wants to see him just continue to play until his skates fall off. Go until 60, Jags... what are they gonna do? Kick you off the team? You own the damn team!

In all seriousness, I'd love to see Jagr extend his career and keep playing until his is physically no longer capable. He's always been a mountain of a man who can withstand injuries thanks in large part to his life-long commitment to fitness. He's the most in-shape 52 year old you'll ever meet and I have a feeling he won't allow himself to slip up as the years continue to pile up.