Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide in 2000; Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number. As of March 2022, two teams have no retired numbers: the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets.

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Can you wear number 99 in the NHL?

No, you cannot wear the number 99 in the NHL. The league officially retired the number on behalf of Wayne Gretzky in 2000. Although, five other players have wore the number 99 in the history of the NHL. Gretzky was the most famous player to wear the number 99, but it has been worn by 5 other players.

Why did the NHL retired 99?

99 has been retired across the NHL, unable to be worn by anyone in the league in honor of the game's most recognizable player and inarguably one its greatest. Gretzky is the only player with that honor, but, if it were up to him, he'd have some company.

Why can't hockey players wear 99?

99 – The Great One

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There is not much to say there, it is a sacred hockey number. Unless you are the Great One, this number is completely off limits to any hockey player anywhere in the known universe.

Who retired the number 99?

Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 retired by the Edmonton Oilers. 1999: Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 is raised to the rafters at Skyreach Centre by the Edmonton Oilers before their season-opening 1-1 tie against the New York Rangers.

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38 related questions found

Is number 99 retired in all sports?

League-wide retirements

The only other exception to this retirement is on April 15, the anniversary of Robinson's MLB debut, when all uniformed personnel (players, managers, coaches, umpires) wear 42. Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was likewise retired league-wide by the National Hockey League at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.

Who wore 99 before Gretzky?

The answer is 5 other players wore #99, including two who wore it at the same time as Gretzky in the early 1980s. The first occurrence of number 99 came way back during the 1934-1935 NHL season. The Montreal Canadians had three players wear #99: Joe Lamb, Desse Roche and Leo Bourgeault.

Was Gretzky always number 99?

It was with the Greyhounds that Gretzky first wore the number 99 on his jersey. He originally wanted to wear number 9—for his hockey hero Gordie Howe—but it was already being worn by teammate Brian Gualazzi. At coach Muzz MacPherson's suggestion, Gretzky settled on 99.

Can you wear 69 in NHL?

Fun fact: Desjardins and forward Melvin Angelstad (two games with the Washington Capitals in 2003-04) are the only players in NHL history to wear No. 69.

Is 66 retired in the NHL?

No. 66 isn't retired League-wide like No. 99 is for Wayne Gretzky. Two players have worn it since Lemieux retired from the NHL in 2006: Ho-Sang and Calgary Flames defenseman TJ Brodie in 2010-11.

Why does Sidney Crosby wear 87?

Sidney Crosby has been connected to the number 87 since the day he was born, August 7, 1987 (8/7/87). Throughout his NHL career, he has chosen to connect himself to that number as well.

Why did the Kraken retire 32?

Before Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks, Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke announced that the team would retire #32. This is because they are the league's 32nd franchise and wanted to honor the 32,000 fans who made deposits for season tickets the first day they were allowed to.

Who wore 99 in hockey?

Since the 1950-51 season, only three players are in the number 99 club, Gretzky, Rick Dudley and Wilf Paiement. Mel Angelstad and Andrew Desjardins are the only players since 1950 to wear Rob Gronkowski's favourite number.

Who wears 98 in the NHL?

98 is the rarest number in NHL history. Only three players have worn it – Brian Lawton, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Mikhail Sergachev.

Who is the greatest hockey player ever?

Wayne Gretzky shattered long-standing records, notably scoring an unprecedented 894 goals. He also earned four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984–85, 1987–88) and was named the NHL's MVP nine (!) times (1980–87, 1989).

Who wore 00 in the NHL?

00 – John Davidson. Only two players have ever worn the double zeros in the NHL. John Davidson wore 00 for the New York Rangers during the 1977-78 season.

Why is number 9 special hockey?

9 in hockey had humble beginnings. Howe revealed recently in an interview with Gretzky that he chose No. 9 not because Richard wore it. He selected the number because it meant he could get a better night's sleep.

Can you wear 0 in NHL?

Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the NHL decreed that Nos. 0 and 00 could no longer be worn since they confused the League's digital database; today, only No. 1 through No. 98 are allowed, No.

Who wears 96 in the NHL?

96: Tomas Holmstrom

Forward Tomas Holmstrom spent all but 47 games of his NHL career, which lasted for 15 seasons and 1,026 regular season games, wearing number 96.

Who wears 79 in the NHL?

The number 79 has only been worn by six players in NHL history, and the only other household name to wear it is Andrei Markov.

Is Gretzky the greatest hockey player of all time?

On Jan. 9, 1998, Gretzky is named the Greatest Hockey Player of All-Time as selected by The Hockey News. Gretzky tallies three points (one goal, two assists) in the North America All-Stars' 8-6 victory over the World All-Stars on Jan.

What is the least used number in NHL?

0. What's even rarer than the double-zero is the single zero in the NHL. Only one man has worn this number, and most likely you've never heard of him.

Who wore 77 in NHL?

Defensemen leading picks among NHL.com writers as top players to wear No. 77. Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 is retired throughout the NHL not only because he is considered the greatest player in League history, but because the number and his name are synonymous.

Is Michael Jordan's number retired?

The number 23 is probably the most iconic in the NBA. However, just six different teams retired the number 23 from their roster. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat retired the number 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. Jordan never played for the Miami Heat.