In a momentous celebration of his illustrious career, Jaromir Jagr, one of the greatest players in NHL history, will see his No. 68 jersey retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The event will take place on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena, just days after the Czech superstar celebrated his 52nd birthday in the city where it all began for him.

Selected by the Penguins with the No. 5 pick in the 1990 NHL Draft, Jagr spent the first 11 seasons of his remarkable 24-year NHL journey in Pittsburgh. During his time with the Penguins, he achieved incredible success, winning the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992. Jagr's impact on the team's history and his impressive contributions on the ice have earned him the honor of having his jersey retired alongside legends Mario Lemieux (No. 66) and Michel Briere (No. 21).

"It's a big honor," Jagr expressed to NHL.com. Despite not actively seeking accolades throughout his career, the significance of this gesture is not lost on the legendary forward. Reflecting on his bond with the city of Pittsburgh, Jagr remarked, "That was the city that drafted me...that's the city where they treated me like I was their kid...they tried to help me the best they could."

With 1,079 points in 806 regular-season games as a Penguin, Jagr holds a prominent place in the franchise's history. Although he went on to play for various other teams, such as the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh will always be his NHL home. His return to the Penguins' organization to have his jersey retired is a testament to the profound impact the city and its fans had on his career.

Surpassing the 1,900-point milestone, Jagr's impressive legacy places him second in NHL history with 1,921 points (766 goals and 1,155 assists) in 1,733 regular-season games. As an individual player, he earned numerous accolades, including the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in 1998-99 and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points five times.

Looking ahead to the ceremony, Jagr expressed his humility, acknowledging that it is a rare and cherished moment. With the passing of time, he also expects to see more deserving players have their numbers retired by the Penguins, including current stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

The jerseys of the legendary trio—Jagr, Lemieux, and Briere—will forever hang in the rafters of PPG Paints Arena, representing the epitome of excellence and dedication to the Penguins' franchise. For Jagr, this honor marks the recognition of a career that was built upon love for the game and the unwavering support of the Pittsburgh community.

As the celebrations commence, Penguins fans eagerly await Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, where they will witness history unfold and pay tribute to a player who brought so much joy and success to the city.