Some say that Jaromir Jagr has been playing for so long that the seasoned Czech winger is nearly as old as the game of hockey itself. Now of course, that's just hyperbole, but in actuality, Jagr has been playing for so long that he does have an odd streak going on at the moment.
Sunday, during TNT's pre-game coverage of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the panel went over an interesting stat involving Shaquille O'Neal. Since 1984 every single NBA championship team has had a player who was teammates with Shaq at some point during their career. Not to be outdone by the hardcourt legend, a user on /r/hockey did a little digging and realized that not only did Jagr have a similar streak, his actually went even further back. All the way back to 1980.
Matt Cullen (2016), Kris Versteeg (2015), Willie Mitchell (2014), Daniel Carcillo (2013), Willie Mitchell (2012), Mark Recchi (2011), Kris Versteeg (2010), Petr Sykora (2009), Andreas Lilja (2008), Sean Thornton (2007), Mark Recchi (2006), LOCKOUT (2005), Pavel Kubina (2004), Jay Pandolfo (2003), Sean Avery (2002), Chris Drury (2001), Willie Mitchell (2000), Benoit Hogue (1999), Doug Brown (1998), Doug Brown (1997), Scott Young (1996), Tom Chorske (1995), Mark Messier (1994), J.J. Daigneault (1993), Jagr (1992), Jagr (1991), Mark Messier (1990), Jan Hrdina (1989), Mark Messier (1988), Mark Messier (1987), Stephane Richer (1986), Mark Messier (1985), Mark Messier (1984), Bryan Trottier (1983), Bryan Trottier (1982), Bryan Trottier (1981), Bryan Trottier (1980).
Does this stat meaning anything? Well, it is a pretty great indicator of Jagr's impressive iron man streak, as not is Jagr's streak longer than Shaq's, but he's also STILL playing. Of course, while it is a neat indicator of just how long Jagr has been around, it's mostly just a neat coincidence more than anything else.
Still, hats off to Jagr for continuing to show that he is father time himself.
(H/T: Reddit)
