Written by Dave Stubbs at NHL.com
Let’s begin by correcting the oft-spoken idea that Jaromir Jagr is “ageless.”
He’ll turn 44 on February 15.
The other myths, the legendary stories, a few of the bizarre tales, and oh, that iconic mullet – well, there’s a shred of truth, or more, in all of that.
It was 25 years ago today (Feb. 2) that Jagr, then an 18-year-old rookie with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scored the first hat trick of his NHL career.
The goals — Jagr’s 14th, 15th and 16th of the 27 he would score that season — came in Pittsburgh’s 6-2 home victory against the Boston Bruins. Two were scored on the power play, the third at even-strength, against Bruins goalie Norm Foster.
Twenty-five years later, the Florida Panthers forward is knocking on the door of another milestone. And it will be a dandy for Jagr, an NHL greybeard who’s travelled a meandering, multi-nation road from spectacular junior to introverted North American transplant to an elder statesman of the game who still, on occasion, can dictate the flow of play.
With 737 regular-season goals heading into a road game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, Jagr is just four behind equaling Brett Hull for the No. 3 NHL ranking all-time. Five goals will put him alone behind Gordie Howe, with 801, and Wayne Gretzky, atop the list with 894.
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