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.
Has anyone wore 99 since Gretzky?
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 wore 99 before Gretzky?
During the 1980-81 season, Rick Dudley was picked up off waivers and played the final 30 games of the NHL season with the Winnipeg Jets while wearing the #99. Wilf Paiement was the last player other than Wayne Gretzky to wear the #99. Paiement would wear the number while playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Why did Gretzky retire 99?
Gretzky did state his desire to move back to California and spend time with his family. But at the time, there were already three teams in that state from which to choose, including a return to the Los Angeles Kings. There may have been still other reasons motivating his retirement.
Is 99 officially retired in the NHL?
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. … Nine players have had their number retired by two different NHL teams: Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets.
Is the number 69 banned in the 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.
Can you wear the number 0 in NHL?
Neil Sheehy wore the number 0 when he played with the Hartford Whalers for the 1987-88 season, and to this day he is the only skater to ever wear the number. … Fun Fact: Paul Bibeault is the only other NHL player to ever wear number 0.
Who wears 87 in the NHL?
Perhaps the most identifiable number in the NHL today, the No. 87 has not been worn by many. In fact, other than Sidney Crosby, only Pierre Turgeon and Donald Brashear have worn it.
Who wears 47 in the NHL?
47 – Alexander Radulov. Alexander Radulov had a couple of solid seasons with the Nashville Predators in 2006-07 and 2007-08 before returning to Russia. Since his return to the NHL in 2016-17 he has been a very good player for Montreal and Dallas.
Why is McDavid 97?
McDavid was born in 1997 in Richmond Hill, Ontario to Brian and Kelly McDavid. He has an older brother named Cameron. McDavid first skated at age 3, and the next year he started playing hockey; his parents lied about his age because participants were required to be 5 years old.
Who is the toughest guy in the NHL?
Of course, toughness means much more than fighting in today’s NHL. During his 25 minutes of ice time each game, Chara has plenty of other physical ways to dish out punishment to Boston’s opponents. At age 36, Zdeno Chara remains the toughest of them all.
Who’s the oldest hockey player still playing?
Zdeno Chara, 44 years old
He also has a Stanley Cup and a Norris Trophy. The oldest active player in the league is best known for his 14 seasons as captain for the Boston Bruins.