It appears hockey legend Jaromir Jagr has finally called it a career
After more than three decades playing professional hockey, it appears Jaromir Jagr is finally hanging up the skates. In a recent interview in his home country of the Czech Republic, the 50-year-old said he is currently not playing and hasn't this season. He's been with the Kladno Knights, the Czech league team he owns, for every game helping with coaching and other things. However, Jagr said he actually feels no draw to lace up the skates right now.
"It's definitely not coming, not at all. To be honest, I don't even feel like it. Unless there's still a Winter Classic, which I promised there would be, I guess I'd have to force myself to go play. Otherwise, I'm not drawn back at all."
Jagr has essentially admitted to being retired, although he may lace up for the Czech League's annual outdoor game, which is slated to take place in December after being cancelled the two previous years. He went on to say that in early August, he realized he wasn't physically prepared to play in the 2022-23 season and simply hadn't had time to do so.
"Even if I wasn't the owner and only had hockey to do, I would still have problems training and playing games. To concentrate on hockey at all. It's more or less impossible. Or I'd have to stop working for the club altogether, which I don't think would help,"
It's almost as though Jagr is saying he's hit a wall when it comes to playing the game, and it's tough to blame him for that after 32 years on the ice. He had admitted previously that he was only still playing because he believed Kladno wouldn't last if he retired. However, that seems to have changed, and Jagr said he doesn't miss playing at all.
"Not at all. I like hockey, but it's hard work. Physically it's very demanding."
"At my age, playing at some level is challenging in itself. To prepare, to motivate. Not to mention the need for rest. Because of the time spent on the ice rink and in meetings, I don't have time to deal with myself between nine o'clock and two in the afternoon. To go to practice tired and to get tired physically, I can't give it, I won't give it."
"At my age, playing at some level is challenging in itself. To prepare, to motivate. Not to mention the need for rest. Because of the time spent on the ice rink and in meetings, I don't have time to deal with myself between nine o'clock and two in the afternoon. To go to practice tired and to get tired physically, I can't give it, I won't give it."
Jagr is not just a fan-favourite personality, but an absolute legend when it comes to the NHL's All-Time lists, and one of the best ever in the league. He's second only to Wayne Gretzky in NHL career points, fourth in goals, and fifth in assists. While best remembered as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jagr played for a number of NHL teams throughout his career, playing his last game in the league on New Year's Eve of 2017 with the Calgary Flames. If he plays in the outdoor game in December, expect a huge event. As soon as Jagr officially announces he's finished as a pro, he can be inducted into the NHL's Hall of Fame, and that would likely happen immediately.
Source: iDNEZ.cz
Top 10 latest hockey stories
