PITTSBURGH – Jaromir Jagr and the Pittsburgh Penguins have had a questionable relationship over the years, but now and forever, he will always be remembered as a franchise icon. The Penguins Celebrate 68 weekend has concluded with the official retirement of Jagr’s No. 68.
After a ceremony full of highlights, off-ice moments, and a heartfelt and thoughtful speech from Jagr, the Penguins flew his jersey and number to the rafters of PPG Paints Arena.
Plenty of former teammates and executives were on hand for the ceremony, including Hall of Famers Ron Francis, Scotty Bowman, and most importantly, Mario Lemieux.
Fellow Czechia countrymen Jiri Slegr, Robert Lang, and Jiri Hrdina were also on hand as former teammates that helped Jagr become the player he is known for in Pittsburgh. Jagr made sure to thank each of them in his speech.
Jagr’s jersey joins Lemieux’s and Michel Briere’s in the rafters forever immortalized by the Penguins.
In 11 seasons with the Penguins, Jagr won the Stanley Cup twice in his first two seasons and recorded a total of 439 goals and 640 assists for 1,079 total points; all fourth most in Penguins franchise history.