Legendary hockey player Jaromír Jágr to complete season with HC Kladno

No NHL team picked up future Hall of Famer Jaromír Jágr within an allotted 24-hour deadline after the player was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames, and on Monday the club announced it had assigned the veteran player to HC Kladno in the Czech Republic. The move likely spells the end of Jágr's NHL career.

In a statement, the player thanked Brad Treliving and the Flames for giving him an opportunity to extend his NHL career this season and expressed regret things hadn't worked out as he and the club had hoped. Jágr was uncharacteristically dogged by injury throughout the fall season and was limited to only 22 appearances.

In the statement he said he was "deeply grateful to the Flames, the fans and the city of Calgary for having welcomed [him] so generously" and said that he was now "looking forward to continuing the season in Kladno."

The player is a co-owner of his hometown club, just outside of Prague.

Jágr, a legend in the sport with two Stanley Cup rings but also Olympic gold from Nagano '98, recorded 766 goals and 1,921 points over the course of his NHL career. In the latter part of his career he became equally well-known for his good humor and tireless work ethic.

Author: Jan Velinger