11 fun facts about Jaromir Jagr that prove he's really really old
This season just got a whole lot more fun.
Jaromir Jagr, a living legend, has found a team to play for. At long last, the league’s oldest player has signed a contract with the Calgary Flames.
Here are 11 fun facts about the 45-year-old that prove he’s really really old:
1. He’s going to play more games than anyone ever
Image: NHL / Twitter
Gordie Howe played for so long that two of his kids became his teammates at the tail-end of his career. Well guess what, Jagr’s probably going to break his all-time games played record.
Jagr is currently fourth on the all-time list, but trails Ron Francis by only 20 games, Mark Messier by 45, and Howe by 56.
As long as he stays healthy, he’ll break the record this year.
2. He’s 4 years older than anyone else in the league
Image: NHL / Twitter
Not many players play into their 40s in the NHL. Jagr, who turns 46 in February, is closer to 50 than 40.
Matt Cullen and Zdeno Chara are the only current players in their 40s in the NHL, and Jagr is more than four years older than them.
3. He’s almost older than his coach
Image: Calgary Flames / Twitter
Jagr is so old, he’s nearly older than his new head coach.
Jagr was born on February 15, 1972. Calgary bench boss Glen Gulutzan was born on August 12, 1971, making him just six months older.
4. He’s older than 4 NHL coaches
Image: NHL / Twitter
If Jagr played on the Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, or St. Louis Blues, he would be older than his head coach (Jared Bednar, Jeff Blashill, John Hynes, and Mike Yeo are all younger than him).
5. He’s been through 4 work stoppages
Image: NHL / Twitter
The old guy has seen a lot in his day, including four work stoppages. He was in the league for the players’ strike in 1992, as well as owners lockouts in 1994-95, 2004-05, and 2012-13.
He didn’t take any time off during those stoppages (of course he didn’t). During the cancelled 2004-05 NHL season, he played with Kladno in the Czech Republic and Omsk Avangard in Russia.
6. He’s played on 8 NHL teams
Image: Chris LaFrance / USA Today
The Flames will be Jagr’s ninth NHL team. He’s just three teams away from tying Mike Sillinger’s record of 12.
7. He won 2 Stanley Cups… 25 years ago!
1991 and 1992 were magnificent years for the Pittsburgh Penguins. More on the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins: https://t.co/J5lEz412Bo pic.twitter.com/9YakxuPbg7
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 29, 2016
Jagr won the Stanley Cup so long ago that he might have trouble remembering winning them. That’s because the last time he lifted the Cup was 25 years ago with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jagr won two Stanley Cups in his first two years, but has been searching for a championship ever since.
8. He has 12 new Flames teammates that were born after he was drafted
Image: Pro Set
You know who definitely doesn’t remember Jagr during his Cup-winning days with the Penguins? Most of his teammates.
I believe 12 #Flames, on the current roster, were born after Jagr was drafted… and 2 were born the week before… whoa!
— Jermain Franklin (@TSNJFranklin) October 2, 2017
Twelve of Jagr’s new Flames teammates weren’t even born when he was drafted in 1990. Unreal.
9. The Saddledome was the youngest building in the league when he played his first game
Calgary: "Flames can't continue playing in the Saddledome.Nothing that old is still good"
Flames: "Hold that thought"
*#Flames sign #Jagr* pic.twitter.com/6J0gHyjTlS
— Majin Gir (@majingir) October 2, 2017
You know how old and decrepit the Saddledome supposedly is? Well, when Jagr entered the league in 1990, it was a fresh new barn.
In fact, the Saddledome was the newest arena in the league when Jagr played his first NHL game.
10. He left for 3 years and his point totals are still insane
Image: NHL / Twitter
When Jagr left the NHL in 2008 to play in the KHL, most believed he was gone forever. He was 36 at the time, and played three seasons for Omsk.
Then, to the surprise of many, he returned to the NHL at age 39. Turned out could still play, and he’s risen the all-time scoring ranks because of it.
Only Wayne Gretzky has scored more NHL points than Jagr, despite the three-year absence. Jagr passed Messier on the all-time list last season. He has 1914 career NHL points, and counting.
11. His favourite player: Himself
Image: CBC
Now that’s old.
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