IIHF announces huge honour for Jaromir Jagr

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TJ Tucker
May 26, 2024 (2:22 PM)

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The International Ice Hockey Federation has finally announced a huge honour for the legendary hockey player Jaromir Jagr, who will go down as one of the best ever

Add yet another accolade to the long list of achievements by the legendary hockey player Jaromir Jagr, one of many he's already received with more yet to come. The International Ice Hockey Federation has announced his induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame. The IIHF, the governing body for the sport of ice hockey around the world, said Jagr was one of the best ever to suit up for any country on the international stage.

"Jaromir Jagr is a legend, plain and simple, and even at age 52 he still plays some games for his club team, Kladno. His last appearance with the national team was eight years ago, here in Prague, where he was named tournament MVP at the Men's World Championship. It was the culmination of a career that started in 1990 when he helped Czechoslovakia win a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship."

Jagr's list of accomplishments in international hockey reads much like his NHL career, filled with records and championships. These include Olympic gold and bronze, two World Championship gold medals and two bronze, World Cup bronze, and gold at the European Champions Cup. He has represented both Czechoslovakia, and the Czech Republic (Czechia). Jagr thanked both his former coach, the world renowned Ivan Hlinka, as well as his idols for his induction.

"When he coached me in Pittsburgh he said, If you want to be great, you have to know the history of your game. I remember that very well, and thinking that what he is trying to say is that every kid needs an idol. And when I was watching the World Championships and the Olympics, I was looking for an idol.

And I started with Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Paul Coffey. Then Hakan Loob, Jarri Kurri, who was my favourite guy when I was young. I wanted to be a goalscorer like him. But also Czech legends Jaroslav Pouzar, Igor Liba, Nedomansky, Martinec, Novy, Pospisil. I loved them all. They're the reasons I became the player I became."

Jagr not only played with several of his idols that he mentioned, but passed them in several categories on the stats sheets. It's just a matter of time before the NHL comes calling for its Hall of Fame. Players have to be officially retired from professional hockey before that induction takes place.