Let's talk about hockey jersey #'s

[nickerjones]

A buddy just wrote an article about hockey jersey #'s. I never thought about the history of jersey #'s so loved reading about how #'s were put in place to sell programs. Also loved the story about the "cheap" Maple Leaf owner who didn't want to lose program revenue when name bars were made mandatory so he used name bars you couldn't read.

Any one have any other good stories?

Here's the article:Link

[GreenLantern2814]

I've been thinking about making a thread like this for months. A few things I want to get off my chest.

1. The number 1 should be available for skaters. It will surprise many of you to know that a goaltender has not won the Stanley Cup wearing #1 since 1976. Even goalies don't wear it much anymore. I saw a pitcher for the Rockies wearing 0 the other day - in the playoffs. #Free1

2. I don't believe you can win a Stanley Cup with a crap player wearing 19. Especially if the other team has a great 19 on their side. I've never been as thrilled about a number selection as I was Matthew Tkachuk's. Without looking it up, these are the guys I remember wearing 19 for the Flames since I've been paying attention:

Saprykin - the best 19 they've had until now which says a lot.

Kobasew - sure.

Wayne Primeau - wished you were Keith. Even with the concussions.

Jamal Mayers - *urge to kill building*


Blair Jones - I always liked him. But you ain't winning #### with Blair Jones as your 19.

David Jones - it's like the Flames thought 'we have all these unsold Blair Jones 19s laying around... David, don't ask questions, you're 19 now.'

Christ no wonder we've been irrelevant.

3. 97 is a stupid number. It looked stupid on Roenick, it looked stupid on Klesla, it looks stupid on every defensive tackle in the NFL, and it looks stupid on McDavid. Ohhh was it the year he was born? That's embarrassing, did your mom make you do that?

That's all for now.

[memphusk]

Put me on the numbers don't really matter list. I could give a #### what number you wear, just do your job and put the effort in.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Put me on the numbers don't really matter list. I could give a #### what number you wear, just do your job and put the effort in.

I'm glad we had this talk.

[CroFlames]

I'm weird. On one hand, I hate novelty numbers like 97, 87, 91, etc. Like, what are you trynna prove bud? On the other hand, I love numbers like 88, 67, 81, 77 etc. There's no ryhme or reason to it.


Sometimes I wish clubs make only the numbers 1 to 29 available to players, and further still, #1 is automatically assigned to the goalie, 1-6 to the dmen and the forwards get the rest.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I'm weird. On one hand, I hate novelty numbers like 97, 87, 91, etc. Like, what are you trynna prove bud? On the other hand, I love numbers like 88, 67, 81, 77 etc. There's no ryhme or reason to it.


Sometimes I wish clubs make only the numbers 1 to 29 available to players, and further still, #1 is automatically assigned to the goalie, 1-6 to the dmen and the forwards get the rest.

It is noteworthy that, by and large, the true Best players in hockey have had 'look at me' numbers for the last 35 or so years.

99, 66, 68, 88, 87, 65, 97. Or 9/19/91. If you're great, you should have a 9 somewhere.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It is noteworthy that, by and large, the true Best players in hockey have had 'look at me' numbers for the last 35 or so years.

99, 66, 68, 88, 87, 65, 97. Or 9/19/91. If you're great, you should have a 9 somewhere.

c'mon Gio wears #5.

[Niemo]

I like the number 39. I thought Bennett would wear that number then turn out to be a stud.

[Dion]

Growing up I had a couple of favourite numbers. One was #4 which Bobby Orr wore and #7 for my other favourite player, Phil Esposito.

[OutOfTheCube]

When I would play goalie it was 39, for Hasek.

Forward it is 7, just my favorite number (born on the 7th).

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Dion

Growing up I had a couple of favourite numbers. One was #4 which Bobby Orr wore and #7 for my other favourite player, Phil Esposito.

Same for me. I guess you have to be of a certain vintage.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I've been thinking about making a thread like this for months. A few things I want to get off my chest.



2. I don't believe you can win a Stanley Cup with a crap player wearing 19. Especially if the other team has a great 19 on their side. I've never been as thrilled about a number selection as I was Matthew Tkachuk's.

That's all for now.

The flames had a beauty 19 in 1989 who put up 375 pims that year/ they beat the Habs with measly Larry Robinson sporting 19

[looooob]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

When I would play goalie it was 39, for Hasek.

Forward it is 7, just my favorite number (born on the 7th).

For me as a kid it was 7 and 11’for Martin and Perreault!

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by looooob

The flames had a beauty 19 in 1989 who put up 375 pims that year/ they beat the Habs with measly Larry Robinson sporting 19

375 PIMs is a different kind of greatness, but it's still greatness.

[FireGilbert]

As a kid I playing defence I always wanted #2 for MacInnis or #4 for Orr. If I was growing up today I'd likely also want #5.


As an adult I played RW on a ball hockey team and became very excited when #12 was available.



I do prefer the traditional numbers but don't have a problem if a player wants to wear something higher. The Esposito 77 and Gretzky 99 for example were clever ways to get around their preferred numbers not being available. I don't necessarily get the recent trend of your number being your birth year though but if that is significant to you then go for it.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Same for me. I guess you have to be of a certain vintage.

That you do

[N-E-B]

Wearing your birth year as a number is a dumb fad. It was kind of cool when Crosby did it since he’s 8/7/87 but everyone else after that he’s just been a cheap knockoff. Thankfully it hasn’t gained much traction past 93 and seems to be dying off as we get into the high 90’s and low 00’s.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

2. I don't believe you can win a Stanley Cup with a crap player wearing 19. Especially if the other team has a great 19 on their side. I've never been as thrilled about a number selection as I was Matthew Tkachuk's.

Just in case anyone was wondering:






Yes, that's their overpaid KHL backup wearing 19.


E=NG.

[getbak]

He's using an illegal stick too. There's no white knob at the top.

10.2 Goalkeeper’s Stick - In the case of a goalkeeper’s stick, there shall be a knob of white tape or some other protective material approved by the League. This knob must not be less than one-half inch (1/2'') thick at the top of the shaft.

Failure to comply with this provision of the rule will result in the goalkeeper’s stick being deemed unfit for play. The goalkeeper’s stick must be changed without the application of a minor penalty.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by getbak

He's using an illegal stick too. There's no white knob at the top.

Wow, I didn’t know that was a rule!