Burke Jersey Number Issue Coming to a Head

[northcrunk]

We should convert to 3 digit numbers for eveyone. 100-199

[Hanna Sniper]

vanity numbers should be negotiated in contract talks. There's always exceptions to the rule and even Burke has mentioned that.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

It was always a bullcrap policy from the get go.

This is pretty much the only thing that needs to be said. Crotchety micromanagement.

Selfishly I want to see Bennett with 39 or 93 (I prefer 39 because that was Gilmour's number here).

[codynw]

Originally Posted by neo45

I think part of the culture problem in Edmonton is that they let a bunch of 18 year old's pick their vanity numbers right out of the gate

Yea because no other teams do that.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Burke said it has to be below 40, but did he say anything about fractions or decimals? I'd love it if one of them asked for 1/2, or my favorite, 3.14.

[RedMileDJ]

nm

[nik-]

Originally Posted by RedMileDJ

What are Burke's exact reasons for this? I know he made the Edmonton comment one time, but I haven't read any other reasons or explanation. Unless I missed something.

"rabble rabble old time hockey rabble rabble respect for history"

Satirized, but that's basically it in a nutshell.

[N-E-B]

I don't understand why high numbers are so bad, but at the same time I also don't understand why people are so upset that they can't be worn?

[Dagger]

1) No number should ever be retired
2) Players should be allowed to wear whatever number they like

[jammies]

Why stop at numbers under 40? Bobby Orr wore #4, are you claiming you're too good for #4, rookie? Everybody on my team wears #4, and if you don't like it, there's the Black Aces on our ECHL affiliate waiting for your disrespectful, me-first attitude.

What's that? Gary Bettman might have something to say? Let me tell you son, he might be commissioner but he's no Clarence Campbell. Now get out of my sight and clean out your locker. You're done.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Dagger

1) No number should ever be retired
2) Players should be allowed to wear whatever number they like

Seriously dude. It's how clubs honor their past great players. Why would you have a problem with it?

Likewise, if a club doesn't like vanity numbers, they have that right.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by J79

1 - Jonas Hiller
2 - Al MAcInnis
3 - David Schlemko (I hope he comes back)
4 - Kris Russell
5 - Mark Giordano
6 - Dennis Wideman
7 - TJ Brodie
8 - Joe Colborne
9 - Lanny McDonald
10 - Markus Granlund
11 - Mikael Baclund
12 - Jarome Iginla
13 - Johnny Gaudreau
14 - Theoren Fleury
15 - Ladislav Smid
16 - Michael Ferland (I hope he can keep 79 though)
17 - Lance Bouma
18 - Matt Stajan
19 - David Jones
20 - Josh Jooris
21 - Mason Raymond
22 - Drew Shore
23 - Sean Monahan
24 - Jiri Hudler
25 - Brandon Bollig
26 - Michael Frolik
27 - Dougie Hamilton
28 - Robyn Regehr
29 - Deryk Engelland
30 - Mike Vernon
31 - Karri Ramo
32 - Paul Byron
33 -
34 - Miikka Kiprusoff
35 -
36 - Tyler Wotherspoon
37 - Joni Ortio
38 -
39 - Sam Bennett

i don't think Rege's number will be retired. Potter wore it this past season if i recall correctly


edit... yup....

[Mightyfire89]

Burke's stance on high numbers is among the stupidest things I've ever seen in sports. It's Harold Ballard, Harry Sinden, Eddie Shore type thinking. Old school nonsense at it's finest.

[Bingo]

Poirier was skating with #20 at development camp, which is interesting given the glut of players that need to move into lower numbers.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by cali flames fan

burke said it has to be below 40, but did he say anything about fractions or decimals? I'd love it if one of them asked for 1/2, or my favorite, 3.14.

.08

[sketchyt]

In speaking with him, Burke realizes he's being an old "get off my lawn" man with this rule. He likes it, has his reasons, understands it's not popular, and knows he's likely going to have to roll with the times eventually... albeit grumbling along the way.

This is also a guy who keeps his hair and tie like that because it bothers people and it amuses him. So I assume this numbers issue is a similar thing. It's really a big deal about nothing IMO.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Poirier was skating with #20 at development camp, which is interesting given the glut of players that need to move into lower numbers.

Did he change it today? He was wearing #57 yesterday.

[ResAlien]

Has there ever been even a minor rumbling that this was a problem with the players on the team or is this entirely a fan created "controversy"?

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Has there ever been even a minor rumbling that this was a problem with the players on the team or is this entirely a fan created "controversy"?

This

[getbak]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Has there ever been even a minor rumbling that this was a problem with the players on the team or is this entirely a fan created "controversy"?

Well, Sven seemed to take offense to being asked to change to 27, which is weird because 47 was a number that was just randomly assigned to him and he wore 27 in junior. As we've since found out, he took offense to a lot of things that weren't meant to offend him.

I don't recall hearing any grumbling from Jones being asked to change from 54 to 19.

From what I remember, when Johnny was given 13 at the start of the regular season last year, he said it was nice to get his number from College, but making the team was more important to him than what number he wore. I'm sure most players feel that same way.