Jaromir Jagr was drafted by the Penguins fifth overall in the 1990 NHL entry draft. Jagr enjoyed great success early in his career, winning back to back Stanley Cups with Pens in ‘91 and ‘92, and eventually winning the Art Ross trophy (leading scorer in the NHL) in 1994-95. Jagr would go on to dominate the NHL for the next decade, in the process winning four more Art Ross trophies consecutively from 1998-2001. The only players to win the scoring title from 1981 to 2001 were Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Jaromir Jagr.

The Penguins found themselves in financial trouble in 2001, eventually having to trade Jagr to the Washington Capitals because they couldn’t afford to pay his salary. Jagr was never able to replicate his previous success with the Capitals, and was traded to the Rangers in January of 2004. The rest of Jagr’s career would take many twists and turns, including time in Russia, a return to the NHL, and then time in Europe playing for his own team in the Czech Republic. His time in the NHL left him as the second highest scorer in the history of the game, sandwiched between Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. The Penguins retired his number on February 18th, 2024, and when Jagr retires from professional hockey at the end of 2024-25, he will be inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame. 

This jersey was worn during the second half of his most prolific season, 1995-96, where he scored a career high 149 points. Playing an 82 game season for the only time in his Penguins career, Jagr scored an incredible 62 goals and 87 assists, which in any other season would typically be enough to win the scoring title and league MVP. Incredibly he finished second to none other than teammate Mario Lemieux who scored a whopping 161 points to lead the league in both goals and assists, and win every major NHL award (for the third time in his career). However, Jagr did finish the year leading the league in both even strength goals and game winning goals, and set the record for most points scored by a European born player in one season, as well as a right winger, breaking Mike Bossy’s record. He also scored his 500th career point in his 419th game (wearing this jersey) in a loss against Montreal on February 24th.

This jersey is currently matched to nine games stretching from January 1st 1996 through March 14th, meaning Jagr wore it for approximately seventeen games, with a few more being likely pending a match. Stick marks on the left arm cuff, as well as both numbers, are the easiest way to identify the jersey, though incredibly the set one jersey has markings in nearly all the same locations, so some scrutiny is required. Threads on the shoulder patches, diagonal “Pittsburgh” word mark, some sewing anomalies on the right arm number 8, as well as markings on the right cuff help to differentiate.

Matches include two dozen photos of Jagr in action against Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Boston, and others. It is also matched to the cover of his autobiography, as well as a handful of hockey cards. The jersey shows excellent wear, littered with stick marks, five un-repaired holes, heavy board burns, paint transfer in several shades, interior pilling, and corrosion on the fight strap snaps. “68” and “95-96” is written on the wash tag by the equipment manager.

It is difficult to acquire ANY game worn Jagr jersey, let alone one from his best season, so it goes without saying I am ecstatic to have this in my collection.