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.
How many NHL players wore 99?
Since the 1950-51 season, only three players are in the number 99 club, Gretzky, Rick Dudley and Wilf Paiement.
What does 99 mean in hockey?
Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide in 2000; Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number.
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.
When did Gretzky first wear 99?
Wayne Gretzky started wearing the No. 99 when numbers higher than 30 were almost unheard of for pro hockey players. Gretzky, while playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League in 1977-78, wanted No. 9 in honor of his idol, Gordie Howe.
38 related questions foundWho is the greatest hockey player ever?
Wayne Gretzky shattered long-standing records, notably scoring an unprecedented 894 goals. He also earned four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984–85, 1987–88) and was named the NHL's MVP nine (!) times (1980–87, 1989).
Can 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.
Can you wear 0 in NHL?
Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the NHL decreed that Nos. 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.
Was there a 99 before Gretzky?
There have been five players in the history of the NHL to wear the number 99 other than Wayne Gretzky. The first three came early on in the history of the league and the other two at the start of Gretzky's career. The first three players all played for the Montreal Canadiens and all wore the number 99 in the same year.
Why does Sidney Crosby wear 87?
Sidney Crosby has been connected to the number 87 since the day he was born, August 7, 1987 (8/7/87). Sidney Crosby has been connected to the number 87 since the day he was born, August 7, 1987 (8/7/87). Throughout his NHL career, he has chosen to connect himself to that number as well.
Who wore 00 in the NHL?
00 – John Davidson. Only two players have ever worn the double zeros in the NHL. John Davidson wore 00 for the New York Rangers during the 1977-78 season.
Who wears 79 in the NHL?
The number 79 has only been worn by six players in NHL history, and the only other household name to wear it is Andrei Markov.
Does anyone wear 66 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.
What does your hockey number says about you?
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. On many teams, a lower number implied status, as this would allow for better hotel or sleeping car accommodations when traveling.
What does 69 mean in hockey?
NHLBy Dave Lozo on March 17, 2016. It's a universal truth — 69 is the funniest number. It's the sex number. It's the number that evokes a reflexive response of “nice” when you tweet it.
Who wears 96 in the NHL?
96: Tomas Holmstrom
Forward Tomas Holmstrom spent all but 47 games of his NHL career, which lasted for 15 seasons and 1,026 regular season games, wearing number 96.
Who wore 92 in the NHL?
92 -- Gabriel Landeskog. The skinny: Landeskog prevailed from a small but talented field at No. 92 (21 players have worn it). The winner of the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie in 2011-12, Landeskog has scored at least 20 goals in seven of his nine NHL seasons, including a career-high 34 in 2018-19.
Who wore 77 in NHL?
Defensemen leading picks among NHL.com writers as top players to wear No. 77. Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 is retired throughout the NHL not only because he is considered the greatest player in League history, but because the number and his name are synonymous.
Who is better Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky?
Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest player in NHL history and holds nearly every possible offensive record. Lemieux has the second-highest points-per-game rate in history and appeared in less than 1,000 games but remains one of the best to ever play.
Who was better Gretzky or Howe?
Wayne Gretzky on the legacy of Gordie Howe
Howe led the NHL in goals five times, was runner-up five times, and led the League in scoring six times. Howe won the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player six times and was a finalist six other times. Only Wayne Gretzky (nine) has won the Hart Trophy more often.
Who is better Wayne Gretzky or Bobby Orr?
In the end, Gretzky became the greatest center of all-time and Orr was the NHL's greatest defenseman. They both changed the game, figuratively and literally. Like when, for example, the NHL rewrote its rulebook because of Gretzky.
Why did Edmonton trade Wayne Gretzky?
Shortly after winning the 1988 Stanley Cup, Gretzky was told by his father that the Oilers were looking to trade him. Pocklington's business ventures weren't doing well and he was in dire need of some cash. As a result, he was shopping Gretzky around with the demand of getting $15 million back in return.
