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.
When did Gretzky first wear 99?
Wayne Gretzky started wearing the No. 99 when numbers higher than 30 were almost unheard of for pro hockey players. Gretzky, while playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League in 1977-78, wanted No. 9 in honor of his idol, Gordie Howe.
Who wore 99 before Gretzky?
The answer is 5 other players wore #99, including two who wore it at the same time as Gretzky in the early 1980s. The first occurrence of number 99 came way back during the 1934-1935 NHL season. The Montreal Canadians had three players wear #99: Joe Lamb, Desse Roche and Leo Bourgeault.
Did any other NHL players wear 99?
Jersey numbers are so important because it's how fans identify their favourite athletes. For example, Number 99 is synonymous with one player, and one player only. Other players have worn the number 99, but Gretzky is the only player who fans identify as '99.
What was Gretzky's number?
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.
18 related questions foundWhy 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.
Can you wear number 69 in the 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.
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 least used number in NHL?
0. What's even rarer than the double-zero is the single zero in the NHL. Only one man has worn this number, and most likely you've never heard of him.
Why did Mario Lemieux wear 66?
He went on to score 100 points that season and won the Calder Trophy for best rookie. It was inevitable that Lemieux would be compared with Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player of his day. Lemieux chose to wear number 66, a modest reference to Gretzky's 99.
Who wore 00 in the NHL?
00 – John Davidson. Only two players have ever worn the double zeros in the NHL. John Davidson wore 00 for the New York Rangers during the 1977-78 season.
How much is a Wayne Gretzky rookie card worth?
NHL great Wayne Gretzky has set a lot of records and he just added another to his resume. His rookie card recently sold for $3.75 million, which is the highest price ever for a single hockey card. Heritage Auctions sold the Gem Mint 10 rated 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie card for the whopping price, according to ESPN.
Who wore the number 99 in hockey?
Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 has been retired across the NHL, unable to be worn by anyone in the league in honor of the game's most recognizable player and inarguably one its greatest. Gretzky is the only player with that honor, but, if it were up to him, he'd have some company.
What is the Gretzky rule?
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.
Who is the greatest hockey player ever?
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).
Who wears 98 in the NHL?
98 is the rarest number in NHL history. Only three players have worn it – Brian Lawton, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Mikhail Sergachev.
Who has worn 69 in the NHL?
Desjardins won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. He is also notable for being one of only two players in NHL history to have worn the number 69, with the other being Mel Angelstad.
What is the most common number in hockey?
Once worn almost exclusively by goalies due to Patrick Roy, the number 33 is now universal among all positions. Out of the 13 players who wear it, four are forwards, six are defense and only three are goalies. 19, 25, 36, 41, 45, 50, 70, 72, 74 and 88 are all worn by at least one player at each position.
Why does Sidney Crosby wear 87?
1. Crosby has made uniform No. 87 famous (he was born on 8-7-87), but he's not the only NHL player to wear it.
Is 7 an illegal number in basketball?
Because of the N.C.A.A.'s longstanding Rule 1, Section 22, Article 7, Clause b. 2 — the little-known statute that prohibits college basketball players from wearing any of the numerals 6, 7, 8 or 9. Those are the numbers you will not see on a college basketball court.
Does anyone wear 66 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.
Why do most goalies wear number 30?
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).
Is it OK to wear a retired players jersey?
If a jersey is retired and an active player is still wearing it, the player is usually permitted to wear the number for his entire career as a player. If in the sport, managers and coaches wear uniform numbers, and the player later becomes a coach for the same team, he is also permitted to wear it as a coach.
Why did Seattle Kraken retire number 32?
Before Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks, Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke announced that the team would retire #32. This is because they are the league's 32nd franchise and wanted to honor the 32,000 fans who made deposits for season tickets the first day they were allowed to.
Who Wore best NHL?
'Who Wore it Best': Episode 3
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.
