Forwards with low numbers...

[Normand Lacombe]

Curious, who was the last position player to wear number 1? I've only seen goaltenders wear that number.

 

[pnep]

Interesting. Where is number 2? Reserved for a goalie?

Gord Donnelly Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

Phil Bourque Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[pnep]

Curious, who was the last position player to wear number 1? I've only seen goaltenders wear that number.

Glen Smith Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[BadgerBruce]

Someone can correct me but didn`t O6 players switch to lower numbers for a better berth on the train rides?

Yes, but the lower berths were given to the vets, and vets (with a few exceptions) got the lower jersey numbers. In a general sense, the lower the jersey number, the safer the roster spot. Again, always a few exceptions.

Richard and Howe began their careers with “rookie numbers” in the teens, and all three eventually got lower numbers and the perks, which included the lower berth. Notable exception is Hull, who wore 7 as a rookie, moved to 16, and finally 9 when Tod Sloan retired.

 

[The Panther]

What would happen if an NHL team tried a three-digit number? Would the League allow it...?

 

[alko]

And why arent there many low numbers players? Is there some reason?

 

[Tarantula]

A fellow pick up player had a customized jersey with the symbol for pi on the back.

 

[FerrisRox]

What would happen if an NHL team tried a three-digit number? Would the League allow it...?

No, it's not allowed.

All sweater numbers have to be between 1 and 98.

 

[FerrisRox]

Notable exception is Hull, who wore 7 as a rookie, moved to 16, and finally 9 when Tod Sloan retired.

Hull wore #16 as a rookie and continued to wear it for five seasons. He then switched to #7 for the 1962-63 season and switched again, the following year to #9.

 

[BadgerBruce]

Hull wore #16 as a rookie and continued to wear it for five seasons. He then switched to #7 for the 1962-63 season and switched again, the following year to #9.

You are correct — my error. The sequence was 16, 7, 9.

 

[Iron Mike Sharpe]

Marcel Dionne sure looks odd in the #5 he wore his first three seasons in Detroit. But maybe it's just his youth and the fact that it's a Wings jersey.

... and the fact that he's not wearing a helmet!

 

[McGarnagle]

Semi-related question:

Have any goalies worn a non-traditional low number?

Goalies have always worn 1 or numbers in the 30s. #20 and #29 are not uncommon either, and younger goalies have been wearing higher numbers. But I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Semi-related question:

Have any goalies worn a non-traditional low number?

Goalies have always worn 1 or numbers in the 30s. #20 and #29 are not uncommon either, and younger goalies have been wearing higher numbers. But I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

ron hextall wore 27. gilles meloche too. felix potvin usually wore 29, but had 28 in new york because kenny jonsson was already #29 there.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

Semi-related question:

Have any goalies worn a non-traditional low number?

Goalies have always worn 1 or numbers in the 30s. #20 and #29 are not uncommon either, and younger goalies have been wearing higher numbers. But I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

iirc in the World Juniors a few years back the Slovakian goalie was wearing #2. I remember it because he got shelled and someone on this forum said "that's what he gets for wearing #2", and I couldn't help but agree.

 

[Teiran]

Semi-related question:

Have any goalies worn a non-traditional low number?

Goalies have always worn 1 or numbers in the 30s. #20 and #29 are not uncommon either, and younger goalies have been wearing higher numbers. But I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

Mikko Koskinen is wearing #19 with the Oilers this year.

 

[VanIslander]

... I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

Ron Hextall, as an NHL rookie, won the Vezina and Conn Smythe while wearing #27.

I was in high school at the time. His exceptional saves I'll never forget. My Oilers still won however. All was good.

 

[streitz]

 

[DJ Man]

Semi-related question:

Have any goalies worn a non-traditional low number?

Goalies have always worn 1 or numbers in the 30s. #20 and #29 are not uncommon either, and younger goalies have been wearing higher numbers. But I don't believe I've ever seen anything between 2-28 other than 20.

Jack Norris wore #17 for the Bruins in the mid-1960s.

There were several wearing 22, 23, 24 in the early years of the two-goalie system.

(I remember that Boston, unlike the other five teams, always had a several players numbered in the high 20s. Some tradition, or maybe too many retired numbers.)

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

and i should have thought of this earlier instead of only realizing as i was watching the game but jacob markstrom wears #25