Jaromir Jagr makes announcement about his playing career

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Josh Tupper
September 16, 2023 (1:53 PM)

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Hockey legend Jaromir Jagr made it clear that he was unsure of his hockey future. Jagr was unsure if he was going to play at all last season, but at the last minute decided to suit up for the club he owns in Czechia, Kladno Knights due to an illness that made its way through the team leaving his squad shorthanded.

Jagr went on to play in 26 games last year, putting up 14 points (five goals, nine assists), 16 penalty minutes and had an even-rating. Many felt this would likely be the end of his hockey career, but not so fast.

In a post on his Instagram account on Saturday, Jagr announced that he will be suiting up again for Kladno for the 2023-24 campaign, which marks his 36th season of professional hockey.

Note: the following quote is translated from Czech

"Hi ⭐️. Another hockey season has begun. Now I read that I played for Kladno in the extra league for the first time 35 years ago. It's been a while. But the nervousness, the anticipation before the start... It's still the same. At home at the ČEZ stadium, we play for the first time tomorrow against the strong Pardubice. I'm looking forward to hockey and the pre-match program that @kauflandcesko and I have prepared. Among other things, Olga Lounová will perform before the match. He has a nice song about being an eternal optimist. I think we all need a bit of optimism for the season. I believe it will be better than the previous one. And what about you? How are you looking forward to hockey?" Jagr said.

It's great to see that Jagr is still competing at a high level, especially given his age. Jagr has admitted in the past that he's uncertain what would happen with his club if he stops playing, in terms of sponsorship money, etc., so that remains his biggest motivating factor to keep playing.

Jaromir Jagr and Kladno, who also have former Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec, are set to open their 2023-24 regular season schedule on Sunday against HC Dynamo Pardubice in what should be a very entertaining contest.