Jaromir Jagr Starts 38th Pro Hockey Season at 53 in Czech League

Jaromír Jágr, 53, began his 38th professional season by making a delayed season debut for hometown Rytíři Kladno in the Czech Extraliga, skating on the fourth line, logging about 10 minutes and joining the power-play unit after missing an earlier opener with a muscle problem. The NHL legend — second on the all-time points list and fourth in goals (766), who won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh — remains active after selling a majority stake in Kladno last January to bolster the club financially. Kladno has struggled this season (13th of 14 with four wins in 14 games), and Jágr, who had hinted retirement last year, has instead extended his playing career while saying he would like to try to lead the team to its first playoffs. Because he is still an active player, Jágr’s three-year waiting period for Hockey Hall of Fame eligibility has been reset, postponing any Hall of Fame ballot appearance until at least 2029. He did not speak to media after the game, though teammates emphasize his locker-room presence and leadership as he shows no sign of winding down his career.