Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr reached yet another milestone on Friday night, further advancing his legacy as one of the best elder statesman the NHL’s ever seen.
With his two assists in a 4-3 shootout win over the New York Rangers, the 45-year-old Jagr tied, then passed Gordie Howe for most points by a player after turing 40.
“I’m going to pass him for most points after 50,” Jagr joked to media following the game.
Here’s a look at some of the players he passed on the exclusive over-40 list.
Gordie Howe, 268 points after age 40
This NHL legend played 25 years for the Detroit Red Wings, from his age-18 to 42 seasons, before joining the World Hockey Association for six more seasons.
He returned to the NHL at 51-years-old(!) for one more campaign, 1979-80, and added to his career tally with 41 points in 80 contests.
Teemu Selanne, 197 points after age 40
The Finnish Flash scored an impressive 80 points in 73 games in his age-40 season. That was during the 2010-11 campaign. He went on to play three more seasons, tallying 117 points, before finally hanging up the skates at 43-years-old.
Mark Recchi, 171 points after age 40
An aging Recchi accomplished something no member of this list could: winning a Stanley Cup after turning 40.
At 42, the winger contributed 14 points in 25 playoff games to help the Boston Bruins defeat the Vancouver Canucks and capture the 2011 Cup.
He didn’t play another game after hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug for the third time in his career. It was quite the way to sail off into the sunset and end his 22-year career.
Johnny Bucyk, 144 points after age 40
The Hall of Famer turned 40 in 1975-76 and showed little signs of age, scoring 83 points that season for the Bruins. It was more points than he’d amassed in each of the prior two seasons.
Bucyk began to regress after 40, though, playing two more campaigns before retiring in 1978.
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