Jaromir Jagr has been known for a lot throughout his NHL career. His skill and talent aside, he has also had one of the game’s most iconic haircuts, he has played for almost one-third of the NHL’s teams, he has become widely loved for his unorthodox approach to social media, and most recently, he has become known for his ageless dedication to the game.

Unfortunately, Father Time finally caught up to the Czech winger and health concerns balanced with his tedious age of 45 (tack one more year on top of that when his birthday rolls around on the 15th of February) has led to the release of Jagr from his short tenure with the Calgary Flames. Many believe this will be the last of Jagr suiting up for an NHL franchise.

Jagr fans will find solace in the fact that ticket demand is so high overseas that organizers are having trouble accommodating. Czech-based reporter Roman Jedlicka explains that arenas hosting Jagr can expect to be sold out for the rest of the season.

 

 

Now, to make the stakes just a little bit higher, another player that found success in NHL will be dusting off the skates and lacing them up – Petr Nedved.

Nedved was actually taken in the same draft as Jagr, the 1990 NHL draft, and it would surprise some to find out he was actually taken ahead of Jagr (2nd overall, Jagr was 5th). Nedved was born on December 9th, 1971, whereas Jagr was born on February 15th, 1972, making Nedved just over two months older than the man they call the ageless wonder. Nedved is retired, he would simply be coming back to play this one game against his fellow 1990 draftee.

 

 

While Nedved experienced multiple contract disputes and some disappointing seasons early and late in his NHL career, he also had some extremely successful campaigns. In 1995-96 he was teammates with Jagr on the Pittsburgh Penguins when he racked up 99 points, the following season he would gather 71 points. He also had seasons of 78, 68, and 58 points as a New York Ranger.

Overall, Nedved scored 310 goals, 407 assists, and 717 points in his 982 games as an NHLer. Jagr sits second all-time in points scored at 1,921.

(H/T Roman Jedlicka)