Jaromir Jagr becomes oldest NHL player to record a hat trick (Video)

He may be 42 years old and in the twilight of his career — despite his claims he wants to play until he’s 50 — but Jaromir Jagr is still fun to watch on a nightly basis. And the longer he plays and produces, the more NHL records he's bound to set.

Jagr broke an NHL record on Saturday when his three goals helped the New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. At 42 years and 322 days, he became the oldest player in NHL history to record a hat trick, per Elias. The previous record holder was Gordie Howe, who netted one on Nov. 2, 1969 at 41 years and 217 days.

Via Tom Gulitti, Jagr was unaware he was the new record holder saying, “Gordie Howe didn't do it. I thought he did it. I was sure he did it. I like to score hat trick, but I don't like (being) the oldest guy (to do it). I don't want to be the oldest guy, but I'm glad I scored.”

The 15th hat trick of Jagr’s career was his first in the NHL since 2006, when he achieved the feat as a member of the New York Rangers in a game against the Flyers. By scoring his 714th career goal, he moved to within three goals of Phil Esposito for fifth on all-time NHL goal scoring list.

Jagr now leads the Devils in scoring with 25 points and is third on the team with nine goals. With the way New Jersey's season is going, Jagr, who's open to being dealt, could find himself on the move come trade deadline time to pursue his first Stanley Cup since winning back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

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