Jaromir Jagr return Pittsburgh No. 68 retired catharsis

Jaromir Jagr's No. 68 retired by Pittsburgh Penguins. The ceremony was filled with laughter and gratitude. The hockey legend is celebrated.

Jaromir Jagr's iconic No. 68 was retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, marking the end of an era for the NHL's second all-time leading scorer. Jagr, who arrived in Pittsburgh in 1990 as a teenager from eastern Europe, expressed gratitude for the 11 years he spent with the Penguins, calling it the best years of his life. He was joined by his mother, former teammates, and Penguins executives at a 40-minute on-ice ceremony that culminated in his jersey being raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena.

Jagr's journey from Kladno, Czech Republic to Pittsburgh for the celebration was years in the making. Despite leaving the Penguins in 2001 and later joining rival teams, Jagr's connection to Pittsburgh remained strong. The city, once teetering when he left, has since become synonymous with excellence, and the celebration of Jagr's legacy was met with a rolling standing ovation from the crowd.

As the current Penguins skated out onto the ice for their pregame warm-up, they donned No. 68 jerseys and black mullets in tribute to Jagr, a testament to the impact he had on the team and the sport. The sellout crowd, many of whom were sporting various iterations of Jagr jerseys, roared with excitement as he emerged from the tunnel and took a solo lap around the ice.

Jagr's impact on the sport of hockey is immeasurable, and his dedication to the game continues to inspire players and fans alike. As he embarks on the next chapter of his life, Jagr remains focused on chasing greatness, refusing to be satisfied and always striving to improve.