Jaromír Jágr becomes oldest player to score a goal in pro hockey history

Czech hockey legend Jaromír Jágr continues to make history on the ice well into his 50s. Playing in his first game since since turning 52 in February, the ageless wonder etched his name in the record books on Thursday by becoming the oldest goal scorer in a professional ice hockey history.

Jágr surpassed NHL legend Gordie Howe to claim this remarkable feat. Playing in a Czech Extraliga game on Thursday at the age of 52 years and 63 days, Jágr eclipsed Howe's record set in 1980 when he was 52 years and nine days old.

Jágr's achievement has garnered global attention, with media outlets worldwide including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Hockey News, and CBS News highlighting his remarkable accomplishment. The former NHL superstar, known for his illustrious career, has added yet another milestone to his impressive hockey resume.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, his former NHL club, honored Jágr with a jersey retirement ceremony in February, recognizing his status as one of the most productive player in NHL history. Jágr won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992 while playing for the Penguins, and his total of 1921 points is second only to Wayne Gretzky in NHL history.

Jágr not only surpassed Howe as the oldest player to score a goal, but also as the oldest player to regularly participate in professional competitions. Howe retired from the NHL at the age of 52 years and 11 days, only to make a brief appearance on the ice in a IHL minor professional league game in 1997 at the age of 69.

Evžen Musil made a brief appearance for Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga at the age of 70 in 1997, giving Jágr another milestone to look forward to surpassing in about two decades time.

It remains uncertain when Jágr might retire from the sport. His record-breaking goal was not just for personal gain, but brought the Kladno Knights closer to securing their place in the Czech Extraliga, the country's top hockey league.

The team, which Jágr co-owns, is at the bottom of the Czech Extraliga standings and faces relegation to a lower league. Jágr's goal for Kladno in their second game of the relegation series against Vsetín helped put the Knights up 2-0 with a pair of decisive games slated to take place in Brno on Sunday and Monday.

As Jágr continues to defy expectations, the hockey world eagerly awaits his next move, speculating on when the ageless hockey player will ultimately retire from the sport that he has graced for decades or continue past his 36th professional season.