Do hockey jersey numbers mean anything?

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.

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.

Do jersey numbers matter in hockey?

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. And all this is fine!

Does any hockey player wear 99?

Number 99

Since the 1950-51 season, only three players are in the number 99 club, Gretzky, Rick Dudley and Wilf Paiement.

How do hockey players get their jersey numbers?

Sometimes, players get to choose their own number and other times, they're just assigned a number by the team. The fortunate players who get to choose their own number often choose a lucky number, stick with the one they've always worn or wear a number in honor of a family member.

Why can no one wear 99 in NHL?

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.

39 related questions found

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.

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.

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 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.

Is Gretzky number retired by NHL?

Wayne 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.

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.

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.

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.
  • 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.

    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.

    What is the most popular jersey number?

    90 is the most popular of the bunch. A total of 27 players wear this jersey number, and you guessed it -- defensive linemen dominate this number. Sixteen of the 27 players who put on No.

    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.

    Which number is the luckiest?

    Perhaps part of the answer lies in a seminal paper published in 1956 by the psychologist George A Miller called “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two”. Miller claims that it is more than just coincidence that the number 7 seems to be all around us.

    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). Throughout his NHL career, he has chosen to connect himself to that number as well.

    What number has been retired by every team in the NHL?

    Wayne Gretzky is not only a special person, but was a special player during his playing days in the NHL. Gretzky is the only player to have his number retired by all 30 NHL teams.

    Why is 30 a popular goalie number?

    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).

    Can kids wear 99 in hockey?

    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.

    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.

    What do the 3 numbers mean in hockey?

    The three numbers represented are Wins-Losses-OT, for example 20-10-3, which translates to 20 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime/shootout losses.

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