A jersey number is important in the NHL. It becomes synonymous with players and often carries a lot of meaning - it's chosen for birthdays, for luck, or to pay tribute to former favorites.
Do jersey numbers mean anything in hockey?
Numbers 2-6 were traditionally for defense, and 7-11 traditionally for forwards. Higher numbers were for players further down the depth chart, with one of the highest numbers (often 20, 29 or 30) for the backup goaltender.
What is the best hockey jersey number?
Whether it be an all-time great or a forgotten player, here are the greatest players to have worn every jersey number in the NHL.
- 00 – John Davidson. Runner-up: Martin Biron. ...
- 1 – Johnny Bower. ...
- 2 – Brian Leetch. ...
- 3 – Pierre Pilote. ...
- 4 – Bobby Orr. ...
- 5 – Nicklas Lidstrom. ...
- 6 – Phil Housley. ...
- 7 – Phil Esposito.
Do hockey players choose their numbers?
Athletes in every team sport have a number on their jersey to identify them.In the NHL, players are given numbers between 1 and 98. Anything less than 1 (0, fractions, decimals) are not permitted and anything over two digits is not permitted. Additionally, 99 was retired by the league to honor "The Great One."
Can you wear 99 in the NHL?
No, you cannot wear the number 99 in the NHL. The league officially retired the number on behalf of Wayne Gretzky in 2000. Although, five other players have wore the number 99 in the history of the NHL.
31 related questions foundCan you wear 69 in NHL?
Fun fact: Desjardins and forward Melvin Angelstad (two games with the Washington Capitals in 2003-04) are the only players in NHL history to wear No. 69.
How do I pick a jersey number?
Use your birthday: A popular way to choose a jersey number is your birthday. Your birthday is already an important number to you with plenty of significance so it makes sense to use it for something as important as your jersey number.
What number has never been worn in the NHL?
87. Perhaps the most identifiable number in the NHL today, the No. 87 has not been worn by many. In fact, other than Sidney Crosby, only Pierre Turgeon and Donald Brashear have worn it.
What is the most popular hockey number?
Everyone knows that 99, for example, is Wayne Gretzky's number and because of his legendary career, nobody else can wear that number in hockey ever again.
What number was Gretzky?
Gretzky retired from professional play after the 1998–99 season and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. His career totals include 2,857 points and 894 goals. The NHL retired his jersey number (99) after his final game.
Is 66 retired in the NHL?
No. 66 isn't retired League-wide like No. 99 is for Wayne Gretzky. Two players have worn it since Lemieux retired from the NHL in 2006: Ho-Sang and Calgary Flames defenseman TJ Brodie in 2010-11.
Can you wear 0 in hockey?
0 and 00 could no longer be worn since they confused the League's digital database; today, only No. 1 through No. 98 are allowed, No. 99 retired for Gretzky at the NHL's 50th All-Star Game in 2000 following The Great One's retirement.
Who wore number 88 in hockey?
Patrick Kane is the best player to ever wear No. 88 in NHL history, according to an NHL.com panel. The Blackhawks star right wing edged out center Eric Lindros for the top spot with 51 points to the Flyers legend's 41 points across 19 voters.
Why did the Kraken retire 32?
Before Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks, Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke announced that the team would retire #32. This is because they are the league's 32nd franchise and wanted to honor the 32,000 fans who made deposits for season tickets the first day they were allowed to.
Who has worn 99 in the NHL?
Number 99
Since the 1950-51 season, only three players are in the number 99 club, Gretzky, Rick Dudley and Wilf Paiement.
Why does Sidney Crosby wear 87?
1. Crosby has made uniform No. 87 famous (he was born on 8-7-87), but he's not the only NHL player to wear it.
Who wears 98 in the NHL?
98 is the rarest number in NHL history. Only three players have worn it – Brian Lawton, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Mikhail Sergachev.
What is the most popular jersey number?
23 is synonymous with many basketball stars, but NFL players love the number just as much. 28 players wear this number, and a lot of them get paid to lock up the opposition. Cornerbacks favor this number, as 17 of the 28 individuals who sport this jersey number play that position.
Is 7 an illegal number in basketball?
Because of the N.C.A.A.'s longstanding Rule 1, Section 22, Article 7, Clause b. 2 — the little-known statute that prohibits college basketball players from wearing any of the numerals 6, 7, 8 or 9. Those are the numbers you will not see on a college basketball court.
What does 00 mean on a jersey?
0 isn't wearing a number at all. (And “00” would be doubly controversial.) In sports, players wearing “0” or “00” are uncommon. Most teams won't assign those numbers. Players usually have to request them, perhaps thinking that “0” or “00” will distinguish them and make them stand out.
Why can no one wear 99 in NHL?
99 has been retired across the NHL, unable to be worn by anyone in the league in honor of the game's most recognizable player and inarguably one its greatest. Gretzky is the only player with that honor, but, if it were up to him, he'd have some company.
Why was Gretzky number 99?
It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number 99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number 9—for his hockey hero Gordie Howe—but it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.
Why can't hockey players wear 99?
99 – The Great One
There is not much to say there, it is a sacred hockey number. Unless you are the Great One, this number is completely off limits to any hockey player anywhere in the known universe.
