List Of NHL Retired Numbers
This is a complete list of numbers retired by the National Hockey League (NHL). A retired number is a jersey number that is taken out of circulation by a team as a way of honoring a former member of that team who wore that number.
The first team to retire a number was the Toronto Maple Leafs, which retired Ace Bailey's number 6 on February 14, 1934, prior to an All-Star game organized in his honor.
Currently in the NHL, there are 96 retired numbers, 7 former retirements, and 23 honoured numbers. Most of the numbers retired by the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques were put back in circulation when those franchises relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, respectively, although the Hurricanes continue to honor the retirement of Gordie Howe's number 9. In contrast, the Phoenix Coyotes continue to honor the numbers retired when the franchise was the Winnipeg Jets. Honoured numbers are similar to retired numbers, except that they remain available for use by other players. Presently, only the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Calgary Flames, and the St. Louis Blues employ this designation.
Only one number has been retired league-wide. Upon the retirement of Wayne Gretzky in 1999, it was announced that no other player would again wear his number, 99. The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired Gretzky's number.
Upon joining the league in 2000, the Minnesota Wild had a ceremony retiring number 1 from circulation as a tribute to their fans.
Four numbers have been retired by a team in honor of two different players: number 12 by the Montreal Canadiens for Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer, number 16 by the Montreal Canadiens for Elmer Lach and Henri Richard, number 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks for Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson, and number 9 by the New York Rangers for Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves.
Only six players have had their number retired by two different NHL teams:
- Bobby Hull - Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets
- Gordie Howe - Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes (also retired by the WHA Houston Aeros, making him the only player with three such honors)
- Wayne Gretzky - Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings (also retired league-wide)
- Ray Bourque - Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche
- Mark Messier - New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers
- Patrick Roy - Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens
Read more about List Of NHL Retired Numbers: Retired Numbers, Honoured Numbers, Former Retired Numbers
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