What number has never been worn in the NHL?
19, 25, 36, 41, 45, 50, 70, 72, 74 and 88 are all worn by at least one player at each position. Of course, 66, 69 and 99 are not worn by anybody. 80, 84 and 94 are the three numbers not worn by any player that would be available.
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.
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.
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.
No NHL player will ever again be able to wear Ho-Sang's number 66, a move the league says is in recognition of the 21-year-old's unique journey to the pros and all of the positives he represents for the sport.
Since the 1950-51 season, only three players are in the number 99 club, Gretzky, Rick Dudley and Wilf Paiement. Mel Angelstad and Andrew Desjardins are the only players since 1950 to wear Rob Gronkowski's favourite number.
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.
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. Though there is no debate over who the best player to wear that number is, there are 98 other numbers with more than one worthy candidate.
82 – Martin Straka. While not spectacular, Martin Straka was consistent during his 15 seasons in the NHL. He scored at least 20 goals six times in his career, finishing with 717 points.
98: Mikhail Sergachev
98 is the rarest number in NHL history. Only three players have worn it – Brian Lawton, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Mikhail Sergachev.
Who wore 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.
Patrick Kane is the best player to ever wear No. 88 in NHL history, according to an NHL.com panel.
Here's What Hockey Number You Should Be:
If you're a forward, pick a number from 7-28. If you're a goalie, pick number 30, 31, or 35. It's best to avoid numbers 99, 66, 69, 0, and 00 unless you want to get chirped on the ice.
19 – The resume for 19 is long and the history of the number certainly helps its street cred. It became so revered with Hockey Canada that only Steve Yzerman was permitted to wear it for a time. Beyond that, it's a good looking number. Especially in a block font.
Plus, Coffey and Bourque each wore No. 7 for significant portions of their time in the NHL while Hedman always has worn No. 77, which, by the time he retires, might make him the best true No. 77.
11: Gallagher, Huberdeau, Kopitar and Parise. The stars: Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher, Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar and Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise are the notable NHL stars wearing No. 11.
Numbers in the thirties were seen as "safe" for goaltenders, since most numbers below thirty were already spoken for by forwards and defensemen (remember that "high numbers" were essentially-unheard of at this time).
Nico Hischier was NHL ready the moment the New Jersey Devils made him the highest-drafted Switzerland-born player in history with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He's established himself as one of the premier two-way forwards in the game in three seasons and that's why he's the best current No. 13 in the NHL.
No. 86. Nobody had worn this number until 2006 when Jonathon Ferland of Montreal wore it. Wojtek Wolski and Jeremy Williams of the New York Rangers both have worn the number as well.
At most levels of play each team must designate one captain and a number of alternate captains (usually two or three) who speak to the officials when the captain is on the bench. Captains wear a "C" on their sweaters, while alternate captains wear an "A".
Why did Gretzky retire?
Gretzky says he accepted his retirement decision the moment he announced it in the final week of the 1998-99 season; he played his final NHL game on April 18, 1999, with the Rangers. "The fact I can't do it, it kills me," he says of continuing to play, "but I've got peace of mind because it was time to move on.
Wayne Gretzky
With his finesse and speed, “The Great One” revolutionized the game. 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).
The Gretzky rule
Gretzky held a press conference one day after being awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, criticizing the NHL for punishing teams and players who previously benefited. The rule change became known as the "Gretzky rule." The rule was reversed for the 1992–93 season.
Wayne Gretzky
The NHL record book might as well be renamed “The Memoirs of Wayne Gretzky”, as he basically wrote it himself throughout his career. The only player in NHL history to record 200 points in a single season, Gretzky achieved the feat a whopping four times during his career.
9 worn by his idol, Gordie Howe, brought it into the NHL; it became so identified with him that the NHL has retired it throughout the League.
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.
The NHL currently has 131 retired numbers, 7 former retirements and 23 honoured numbers.
91. “When I came to the Islanders, (Wayne) Gretzky was in the League (and he wore 99) and Phil Esposito was wearing 77. So I had the opportunity to wear 91,” Goring said.
Nylander wore No. 92 for most of an NHL career that saw him total 209 goals and 679 points in 920 games.
NHL.COM HISTORY ARCHIVE ›
7. Most of those wearing No. 7 have been forwards, though Tim Horton (in Toronto), Paul Coffey (in Edmonton) and Chris Chelios (in Chicago) have been defensemen. Hall of Famer Ray Bourque also wore No.
What does +2 mean in hockey?
Plus: 2 (the 2 assists at even strength count as pluses) Minus: -3 (the two goals at even strength and the empty net goal count as minuses, while the shorthanded goal does not)
The NHL's newest franchise honored their fans - and their place in the League - by raising number 32 to the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena before their first-ever home game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Football stars have had success with the number as well with Kevin Greene, Chris Long, and Cameron Wake thriving with the number 91 in the NFL. Baseball and basketball aren't too far behind with quite a few superstars rocking the number in MLB and NBA history.
66 and No. 99. Other numbers provide instant recognition for hockey fans, like Bobby Orr's No. 4, Gordie Howe's No.
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. Though there is no debate over who the best player to wear that number is, there are 98 other numbers with more than one worthy candidate.
98: Mikhail Sergachev
98 is the rarest number in NHL history. Only three players have worn it – Brian Lawton, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Mikhail Sergachev.
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.
Born on Jan. 13, 1997, Connor McDavid wears No. 97 on his jersey — not unlike the choice Sidney Crosby made.
No. 86. Nobody had worn this number until 2006 when Jonathon Ferland of Montreal wore it. Wojtek Wolski and Jeremy Williams of the New York Rangers both have worn the number as well.
9 worn by his idol, Gordie Howe, brought it into the NHL; it became so identified with him that the NHL has retired it throughout the League.
Why did Gretzky pick 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.
Plus, Coffey and Bourque each wore No. 7 for significant portions of their time in the NHL while Hedman always has worn No. 77, which, by the time he retires, might make him the best true No. 77.
91. “When I came to the Islanders, (Wayne) Gretzky was in the League (and he wore 99) and Phil Esposito was wearing 77. So I had the opportunity to wear 91,” Goring said.
11: Gallagher, Huberdeau, Kopitar and Parise. The stars: Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher, Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar and Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise are the notable NHL stars wearing No. 11.
1 – Johnny Bower. Many goalies wore the number one but the late Johnny Bower takes the top spot. As a four-time Stanley Cup Champion, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, an all-star and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Bower will forever remain a symbol of excellence for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Here's What Hockey Number You Should Be:
If you're a forward, pick a number from 7-28. If you're a goalie, pick number 30, 31, or 35. It's best to avoid numbers 99, 66, 69, 0, and 00 unless you want to get chirped on the ice.
NHL.COM HISTORY ARCHIVE ›
7. Most of those wearing No. 7 have been forwards, though Tim Horton (in Toronto), Paul Coffey (in Edmonton) and Chris Chelios (in Chicago) have been defensemen. Hall of Famer Ray Bourque also wore No.
The number 00 has only been worn twice in NHL history. Martin Biron wore 00 for the 1996 season with the Buffalo Sabres, but only appeared in three games and had an 0-2 record. The only other time the number appeared on an NHL surface was by goaltender John Davidson in his 1977-78 campaign with the New York Rangers.
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.
13 in the NHL. Hischier wears the number in honor of his favorite NHL player, Pavel Datsyuk, who won the Selke Trophy three times as the best defensive forward in the NHL, and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy four times for performance and sportsmanship.