NHL History Trivia

[Reggie Dunlop]

Only five skaters have worn the number "1."

Sprague Cleghorn of the Boston Bruins in 1926/27, the first captain in the franchise's history.

Herb Gardiner of the Montreal Canadiens normally wore #2, but switched to #1 when teammate Georges Vezina died, wearing it for two seasons.

Canadiens defenceman Marty Burke wore #1 for a year after Gardiner went to the Chicago Blackhawks.

HOFer Babe Siebert also wore #1 late in his career for the Montreal Canadiens 1936-39.

The last skater was Glen Smith, who played two games for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1950/51 season.

No rules say a skater could not wear that number today.

[1qqaaz]

I have another fact/piece of trivia:

I think it's pretty crazy that there's still a living person who played in the NHL during WWII (and served in WWII).

Steve Wochy played for the Detroit Redwings in 1944. He turns 102 later this year and has been the oldest former NHLer for almost 5 years, since the death of Jim Conacher.

Wochy is the 2nd oldest person ever who played in a major North American sport, after Sam Dana, former NFL player, who lived to be 104.

The NHL YouTube channel released a video about Wochy recalling the 1945 Stanley Cup finals. It's probably one of the best videos that their YouTube channel has ever released - and a nice break from the Oiler nonsense.

[Bonded]

Ivan Ivan made his debut tonight lol

[Dion]

Wilf Paiement of the Leafs was the only other player to wear the #99 on his jersey.

[Trolleydodger]

I remember that. I was a huge Leaf fan back in the 70's. Couldn't believe they would trade Lanny, but since he would end up in Calgary it all worked out.


I still hate Ballard.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Trolleydodger

I remember that. I was a huge Leaf fan back in the 70's. Couldn't believe they would trade Lanny, but since he would end up in Calgary it all worked out.


I still hate Ballard.

Darryl Sittler still hates Ballard. His feud with Ballard was one of the reasons Ballard traded Sittler's good buddy Lanny.