List of National Hockey League retired numbers
This is a complete list of numbers retired by the National Hockey League (NHL). A retired number is a jersey number that is taken out of circulation by a team as a way of honouring a former member of that team who wore that number.
The first team to retire a number was the Toronto Maple Leafs, which retired Ace Bailey's number 6 on February 14, 1934, prior to an All-Star game organized in his honour.
Currently in the NHL, there are 122 retired numbers, 7 former retirements, and 23 honoured numbers. Most of the numbers retired by the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques were put back in circulation when those franchises relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, respectively, although the Hurricanes keep Gordie Howe's number 9 unofficially retired. The Arizona Coyotes had a policy of retaining the numbers retired when the franchise was the Winnipeg Jets but has reversed it after the Phoenix Coyotes were sold and became the Arizona Coyotes. Honoured numbers are similar to retired numbers, except that they remain available for use by other players. Presently, only the Calgary Flames, and the St. Louis Blues employ this designation. The Philadelphia Flyers have also unofficially retired number 31 in honour of goaltender Pelle Lindbergh, ever since his tragic death in 1985.
Wayne Gretzky's number 99 has been retired league-wide, although the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings separately retired Gretzky's number.
Upon joining the league in 2000, the Minnesota Wild had a ceremony retiring number 1 from circulation as a tribute to their fans.
Eleven numbers have been retired by a team in honour of two different players: number 12 by the Montreal Canadiens for Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer, number 16 by the Montreal Canadiens for Elmer Lach and Henri Richard, number 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks for Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson, number 5 by the Canadiens for Bernie Geoffrion and Guy Lapointe, number 9 by the New York Rangers for Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves, number 1 by the Toronto Maple Leafs for Johnny Bower and Turk Broda, number 4 by the Maple Leafs for Hap Day and Red Kelly, number 7 by the Maple Leafs for King Clancy and Tim Horton, number 9 by the Maple Leafs for Charlie Conacher and Ted Kennedy, number 10 by the Maple Leafs for Syl Apps and George Armstrong, and number 27 by the Maple Leafs for Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler.
Only seven players have had their number retired by two different NHL teams:
- Bobby Hull - Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes
- Gordie Howe - Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes
- Wayne Gretzky - Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings (also retired league-wide)
- Ray Bourque - Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche
- Mark Messier - New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers
- Patrick Roy - Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens
- Tim Horton - Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs
Retired numbers
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame |
Number retired league-wide |
Never played for that particular franchise |
Number retired by a team for multiple players |
- ^ Finnigan did not play for the current Senators franchise, which does not retain the history of the original team. The number he wore was retired because he played for the original Senators franchise and was active in campaigning to bring a new franchise to Ottawa.
- ^ The Minnesota Wild retired this number, even though no player wore #1 for the franchise.
- ^ The Florida Panthers retired the number 93 to honor president and general manager Bill Torrey because the team was founded in 1993. Torrey was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1995.
Unofficially retired numbers
These numbers are not considered officially retired, but have still been removed from circulation.
Name | Team | No. | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Aurie | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | June 1, 1938 | [44] |
Red Berenson | St. Louis Blues | 7 | 2010 | |
Vladimir Konstantinov | Detroit Red Wings | 16 | 1997 | |
Steve Chiasson | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | 1999 | |
Gordie Howe | Carolina Hurricanes | 9 | 1997 | |
Pelle Lindbergh | Philadelphia Flyers | 31 | 1985 | [45] |
Wayne Maki | Vancouver Canucks | 11 | 1974 | |
Joe Mullen | St. Louis Blues | 7 | 2010 | |
Chris Phillips | Ottawa Senators | 4 | 2016 | |
Keith Tkachuk | St. Louis Blues | 7 | 2010 | |
Garry Unger | St. Louis Blues | 7 | 2010 | |
Doug Wickenheiser | St. Louis Blues | 14 | 2002 |
Honoured numbers
Unlike the numbers retired by the Flames these honoured numbers remain in circulation. Some of the numbers honoured by the Blues remain in circulation, while others have been removed from circulation without being officially retired.
Name | Team | No. | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red Berenson | St. Louis Blues | 7 | March 7, 2011 | [46] |
Wayne Gretzky | Arizona Coyotes | 99 | October 8, 2005 | [47] |
Dale Hawerchuk | Arizona Coyotes | 10 | April 5, 2007 | [48][49] |
Bobby Hull | Arizona Coyotes | 9 | October 8, 2005 | [48][50] |
Al MacInnis | Calgary Flames | 2 | February 27, 2012 | [51] |
Joe Mullen | St. Louis Blues | 7 | March 7, 2011 | [46] |
Joe Nieuwendyk | Calgary Flames | 25 | March 7, 2014 | [52] |
Teppo Numminen | Arizona Coyotes | 27 | January 30, 2010 | [53] |
Bob Plager | St. Louis Blues | 5 | [46] | |
Jeremy Roenick | Arizona Coyotes | 97 | February 11, 2012 | [53] |
Thomas Steen | Arizona Coyotes | 25 | January 21, 2006 | [48] |
Keith Tkachuk | Arizona Coyotes | 7 | December 23, 2011 | [53] |
Keith Tkachuk | St. Louis Blues | 7 | March 7, 2011 | [46] |
Garry Unger | St. Louis Blues | 7 | March 7, 2011 | [46] |
Doug Wickenheiser | St. Louis Blues | 14 | [46] |
Former retired numbers
It is very rare for a team to reissue a retired number, and usually requires a special circumstance, such as a number being requested for a family member (such as Bobby Hull asking the Phoenix Coyotes to allow his son Brett to wear Bobby's number 9),[54] or the player for whom the number was retired coming out of retirement himself (such as Mario Lemieux).
In cases of franchise relocation, the handling of existing retired numbers is at the discretion of team management. They may decide to continue honouring the retired numbers, such as the Dallas Stars and Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, or they may choose to make a "fresh start" and reissue the numbers, as the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes have done.
The Hurricanes have an unusual exception with regards to Gordie Howe's number 9. While the Hurricanes have not made any formal recognition of the Hartford Whalers' retirement of the number, they have kept the number out of circulation since their 1997 relocation.
Name | Team | No. | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Michel Goulet | Quebec Nordiques | 16 | March 16, 1995 | |
Gordie Howe | Hartford Whalers | 9 | February 18, 1981 | |
Bobby Hull | Winnipeg Jets (1972–96) | 9 | February 19, 1989 | [48][50] |
Rick Ley | Hartford Whalers | 2 | December 26, 1982 | |
John McKenzie | Hartford Whalers | 19 | 1979 | |
Peter Stastny | Quebec Nordiques | 26 | February 26, 1996 | |
Thomas Steen | Winnipeg Jets (1972–96) | 25 | May 6, 1995 | [48] |
Marc Tardif | Quebec Nordiques | 8 | November 1, 1983 | |
J. C. Tremblay | Quebec Nordiques | 3 | October 28, 1979 |
References
- ^ Associated Press (2009). "Oilers retire Anderson's No. 9". NHL.com. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s NHL (2016). "Maple Leafs retire 11 jersey numbers at ceremony". NHL.com. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
- ^ "Flyers pay tribute to Barry Ashbee". AP. The Calgary Herald. October 13, 1977. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ^ "Saleski Scores 2 Goals As Flyers Top Hawks". The Milwaukee Sentinel. October 14, 1977. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c "This Date in Flyers History: October 11". Philadelphia Flyers. October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Montreal Canadiens (2008). "Montreal Canadiens retired numbers". Canadiens.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Vecsey, George (1992-03-04). "Bossy Left His Numbers Behind Him". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Kings To Retire Rob Blake's No. 4 Jersey In A Special Staples Center Ceremony In January". Kings.NHL.com. Los Angeles Kings. 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2015-01-18.
- ^ CBC Sports (2001-10-04). "Bourque's No. 77 retired". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ CBC Sports (2001-08-14). "Avs retiring Bourque's No. 77". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Kovacevic, Dejan (2001-01-06). "Penguins Report: 01/06/01". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Yerdon, Joe (2010-07-15). "Hurricanes to retire Rod Brind'Amour's number in February". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ Morreale, Mike G. (2015-10-06). "Devils to retire Brodeur's number before Feb. 9 game". NHL.com. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
- ^ a b c Dallas Stars (2008). "Dallas Stars retired numbers". DallasStars.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Meltzer, Bill (November 27, 2007). "Great Moments: Bobby Clarke Night". Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ Associated Press (2005). "Edmonton retires defenseman Coffey's No. 7". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Associated Press (2006). "Devils to retire Daneyko's No. 3". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c d e "Kings Retired Numbers". Los Angeles Kings. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ Legends of Hockey (2007). "Frank Finnigan Page". LEgends of Hockey. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Dater, Adrian. "Adam Foote to see his No 52 retired by Avalanche". Denver Post.
- ^ Dater, Adrian. "Avalanche opens vs. Red Wings with tribute to Peter Forsberg Read more: Avalanche opens vs. Red Wings with tribute to Peter Forsberg". Denver Post. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ Associated Press (2006). "Hurricanes honor Ron Francis, retire his No. 10". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Shea, Kevin (2007). "One on One with Grant Fuhr". Legends of Hockey. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c d e f Buffalo Sabres (2008). "Buffalo Sabres retired numbers". Sabres.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ a b c d New York Islanders (2008). "Key Islander Dates". NewYorkIslanders.com. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Zinsler, Lynn (2009-02-02). "Graves Was Standout on and Off the Ice". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ Sabres to retire Hasek's number before Jan. 13 game
- ^ "Flyers to retire Howe's No. 2". Philadelphia Flyers. March 5, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ Associated Press (2006). "Blues to retire Hull's No. 16 jersey in December". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c Washington Capitals (2008). "Washington Capitals retired numbers". WashingtonCaps.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Guy Lapointe will be honoured on November 8". canadiens.com. Montreal Canadiens. 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
- ^ Red Wings to retire Nicklas Lidstrom’s #5
- ^ a b Tony Care and Rob Sinclair (2006). "Honouring No. 11". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ "This Day in MN Hockey History: October 11". Minnesota Hockey Magazine. October 11, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ Stepneski, Mark (2013-06-06). "Nine To Be Raised To The Rafters". Dallas Stars official website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
- ^ ESPN (2003). "Avalanche retire Roy's No. 33". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Ducks to retire Selanne's No. 8 on Jan. 11 vs. Jets
- ^ Lapointe, Joe (1993-02-20). "This Time, His Number Will Raise to the Roof". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Vancouver Canucks (2008). "Stan Smyl Profile on Canucks.com". Canucks.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ CBC Sports (2006-02-04). "Devils honour Scott Stevens". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Canadian Press (2006-11-30). "Flames retiring Mike Vernon's No. 30". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Associated Press (2009). "Hurricanes honor Wesley, retire No. 2". NHL.com. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ Allen, Kevin (2007-01-03). "Red Wings retire Yzerman's No. 19 jersey". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/comments/ilitch_celebrates_yzerman_desecrates_aurie
- ^ Seravalli, Frank (November 11, 2010). "Pelle Lindbergh's spirit lives on, 25 years after fatal crash". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f St. Louis Blues. "History". blues.nhl.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
- ^ "Arizona Coyotes – Team". Arizona Coyotes. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.294
- ^ Vest, Dave (March 4, 2014). "Coyotes Add Erat on Night Before Trade Deadline". Arizona Coyotes. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b "'Yotes Notes: Gagner Embraces Pressure of Providing Offense". Arizona Coyotes. September 19, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ Vickers, Aaron (2012-02-28). "'Forever a Flame', MacInnis savours special moment". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
- ^ Cruickshank, Scott (2014-02-07). "Nieuwendyk will be Forever a Flame". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ^ a b c Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.295
- ^ "BOBBY HULL UN-RETIRES NO. 9 FOR SON BRETT HULL". Phoenix Coyotes. October 8, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2015.