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Some random thoughts from your humble webmaster

December 17, 2009

A great read

I recently got my hands on The Hockey News: Greatest Jerseys of All Time collector's edition. I must say, it is an excellent read! So many vintage photos from several different leagues, not just the NHL. One section that particularly intrigued me is entitled NHL Numerology, detailing the significance of certain numbers. For instance:

• Everyone knows that 1 is worn exclusively by goalies. But did you know that four skaters in NHL history have worn 1? The last to do so was Babe Siebert of the Montreal Canadiens from 1936-39.

• While 1 is exclusive to goalies, 2 is exclusive to defensemen, symbolizing the next most important on the ice aside from the goalie. No forwards in the NHL currently wear 2.

• 4 used to be associated with great forwards, including Jean Beliveau and Red Kelly. But ever since Bobby Orr donned the number for the Boston Bruins, the number is now worn almost exclusively by defensemen. Of the 16 active NHL players who wear 4, Vincent Lecavalier is the only forward to wear it, and he does so in honor of Beliveau. In fact, Orr wore 2 with the Oshawa Generals and certainly would have continued to wear it in the NHL. However, the Bruins had retired the number decades earlier in honor of Eddie Shore, and thus Orr took 4.

• 9 symbolizes NHL royalty -- having been worn by Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe and (for a time) Bobby Hull. Wayne Gretzky wore 9 throughout his junior hockey years. But when he joined the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, 9 was already taken, so he simply added another 9 and ended up wearing 99. No NHL player will wear 99 again, as the number is retired league-wide.