WHY DO MOST GOALTENDERS WEAR #1 AND #30?
The legendary Frank Patrick introduced a numbering system in 1911-12 in thePCHA, where players were numbered from the goal out: Goal #1, Point #2,Coverpoint #3, Rover #4, Left Wing #5, Center #6, and Right Wing #7 (this was,of course, in the days of seven-man hockey). Many believe that this evolvedfrom soccer's traditional numbering system.There is some evidence of positions being referred to by number - similar tobaseball's scoring system - prior to this, but nothing is documented well.Related to this, when the Yankees started using uniform numbers, they werenumbered by their order in the batting lineup (Ruth #3, Gehrig #4, et cetera).
Since, in the old days, it was customary for all players to play the entiregame, this system made sense, and it was not until substitutions becameprevalent that the idea of additional numbers became necessary.
Occassionally back in the day, players other than the goaltender would wear#1 - when George Hainsworth set the NHL recordfor single-season shutouts,he wore #10, and his defenseman Herb Gardiner wore #1. At this time,some goaltenders took the highest number on the team because they werethe last line of defense. Hainsworth also wore #12 for at least one season,while Davey Kerr wore #15 andJack Norris wore #17.
When it was not required for teams to dress more than one netminders, it wascustomary for multiple goaltenders to wear the same #1 over the course ofa season - and, in fact, more than one time a goaltender was replaced dueto injury, and the new goalie wore the same number.
It was not until it became commonplace (and then required) for teams todress two goaltenders per game that the number thirty gained prominence in theleague. Toronto, with Johnny Bower (#1) andTerry Sawchuk (first #24, andthe next year #30) were the first to make this permanent. Numbers in thethirties were seen as "safe" for goaltenders, since most numbers belowthirty were already spoken for by forwards and defensem*n (remember that"high numbers" were essentially-unheard of at this time).
It's possible that #30 itself became popular because so many goaltendersgrew up watching the Maple Leafs and saw Sawchuk's number as a viable option.Other numbers that became popular due to who wore them:Gilles Meloche was the first goaltender to wear #27, whileTony Esposito was the first to wear #35.In Montreal, Rogie Vachon wore #29 beforeKen Dryden.
#20 is gaining impact with netminders - most prominently,Ed Belfour andEvgeni Nabokov - due toVladislav Tretiak's wearing the number in his heyday.
Lately, non-traditional numbers have gained in popularity amongst National Hockey League goaltenders.Corey Crawford wears #50 in Chicago, Kevin Poulin and Jose Theodore both wear #60,and Sergei Bobrovsky wears #72 in Columbus.Kevin Weekes wore #80 for much of his career, since it was the closest to #00 that he could find,and Ilya Bryzgalov currently wears #80 for the Oilers (Bryz was born in 1980).Tomas Vokoun wears #92 with the Penguins, since his customary #29 was already taken byMarc-Andre Fleury.
NHL goaltenders are currently prohibited from wearing #0 and #00 due to problems with how the numbers are used in theleague's game software. John Davidson switched to the number for the 1977-78 season with the New York Rangers, but returned to his more-familiar #30 after a tough year. Martin Biron was the last NHL netminder to wear #00 in a three-game callup with the Sabresshortly after Christmas, 1995. The French translation of "Biron" is "two circles".
As a final note, Patrick Roy wore #30 up throughhis entire career, untilhe reached the Montreal Canadiens. Why did he switch to the now-famous #33?Because tough guy Chris Nilan already wore #30 in Montreal, and when you'rea rookie netminder you don't try to get Chris Nilan's sweater number. Therest, as they say, is history.
To The Goaltender Home Page FAQI'm deeply immersed in the world of ice hockey, particularly in the realm of goaltending. With a passion for the sport and an extensive understanding of its history and nuances, my expertise goes beyond the surface level. Let me delve into the concepts mentioned in the article "WHY DO MOST GOALTENDERS WEAR #1 AND #30?" to provide a comprehensive overview.
Evolution of Uniform Numbers in Hockey:
The article traces the origins of uniform numbering in hockey back to the innovative Frank Patrick in 1911-12. The numbering system, which started in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA), assigned specific numbers to different positions on the ice. Notably, goaltenders were designated with #1, reflecting their role as the first line of defense.
Soccer Influence and Yankees' Batting Order System:
The article suggests a possible connection between hockey's numbering system and soccer's traditional numbering. It draws parallels with baseball, explaining how the New York Yankees initially adopted uniform numbers based on the players' order in the batting lineup. This approach made sense when all players played the entire game.
Goaltenders Wearing #1 and Other Numbers:
In the early days of hockey, goaltenders often wore #1, emphasizing their position as the last line of defense. However, there were exceptions, with instances of other players, like defensem*n, wearing #1. The article mentions cases where goaltenders chose higher numbers, such as George Hainsworth wearing #10 and #12 during different seasons.
Emergence of #30 for Goaltenders:
The article explains the prominence of the number #30 for goaltenders, attributing its popularity to the Toronto Maple Leafs' Johnny Bower (#1) and Terry Sawchuk (#24, later #30). As teams began dressing two goaltenders per game, numbers in the thirties were considered "safe" for goaltenders.
Influence of Goalie Legends on Number Choices:
Several goaltenders contributed to the popularity of specific numbers. For instance, Gilles Meloche was the first to wear #27, Tony Esposito popularized #35, and Vladislav Tretiak's use of #20 influenced netminders like Ed Belfour and Evgeni Nabokov.
Non-traditional Numbers and Prohibitions:
The article touches upon the trend of goaltenders adopting non-traditional numbers, citing examples like Corey Crawford (#50), Kevin Poulin and Jose Theodore (#60), and Sergei Bobrovsky (#72). It also mentions the prohibition of #0 and #00 due to issues with the league's game software.
Personal Touches and Superstitions:
Noteworthy is the mention of goaltenders like Kevin Weekes choosing #80 because it was the closest to #00 and Ilya Bryzgalov wearing #80 as he was born in 1980. Tomas Vokoun adopted #92 with the Penguins when his preferred #29 was already taken.
Unique Stories and Exceptions:
The article concludes with anecdotes like John Davidson briefly switching to #00, the last instance being Martin Biron in 1995. It also highlights the intriguing story of Patrick Roy switching to #33 in Montreal because #30 was already claimed by tough player Chris Nilan.
In conclusion, the evolution of goaltender uniform numbers in hockey is a fascinating journey, influenced by tradition, player preferences, and the changing dynamics of the sport.
