Legendary Czech forward Jaromir Jagr shared his thoughts on what motivates him to continue his hockey career at the age of 52. Despite his age, the forward remains active at a professional level.
He mentioned that he always aimed to play at a high level and is uncertain about how his game will evolve. Since childhood, starting from the age of three, hockey has been a part of his life, and stepping on the ice is not hard for him. Even if he skates alone, it brings him joy and peace, much like walks in the forest do for others.
Jagr said, as quoted by the NHL website:
People are always asking, 'Why does he still do it?' I never had a goal to win this, this and this. I just enjoy it. I just love it. Same thing, my father was a farmer until the day he died. He didn't have to do it. It's what made him happy. I still love the game and I feel like I always had the gift to see the game differently, that's why I could play so long.
Jagr is a two-time world champion and an Olympic champion with the Czech national team, as well as a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 greatest hockey players by the NHL and was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. He currently plays for his hometown club, Kladno. In the 2024/25 season of the Czech Extraliga, he has already marked a goal and an assist.
According to the hockey player's agent, this season will be Jagr's last in his career.