List of National Hockey League 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 honouring a former member of that team who wore that number; after the number's retirement, members of that team are not permitted to wear the number on their jerseys unless by permission of the original number holder.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Gretzky_aug2001_closeup.jpg/220px-Gretzky_aug2001_closeup.jpg)
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 honour. The NHL currently has 182 retired numbers, 10 former retirements and 24 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 keep Gordie Howe's number 9 unofficially retired. The Minnesota North Stars' two retired numbers were carried over when that franchise relocated to become the Dallas Stars, and remain retired today. During its existence, the Arizona Coyotes had a policy of retaining the numbers retired when the franchise was the Winnipeg Jets but reversed it after the Phoenix Coyotes were sold and became the Arizona Coyotes; these were retroactively classified as honoured numbers as part of the Arizona Coyotes Ring of Honor. Honoured numbers are similar to retired numbers, except that they remain available for use by other players. Presently, only the Calgary Flames, the St. Louis Blues, and the Winnipeg Jets (the latter honouring the players of the original Jets) employ this designation.
Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide in 2000;[1] Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number.
As of August 2024[update], only the Utah Hockey Club and the Winnipeg Jets have no retired numbers. Five teams have retired six numbers that are not those of former players from their franchises: the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers (x2), Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, and Vegas Golden Knights.
Twelve numbers have been retired by a team in honour of two different players.
Nine players have had their number retired by two different NHL teams:
- Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks and the original Winnipeg Jets
- Gordie Howe – Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers
- Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings (also retired league-wide)
- Ray Bourque – Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche
- Mark Messier – Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers
- Patrick Roy – Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens
- Tim Horton – Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs
- Red Kelly – Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs
- Scott Niedermayer – Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils
Retired numbers
edit- Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame |
Number retired league-wide |
Never played for that particular franchise |
Number retired by a team for multiple players |
Italics denote numbers that will be retired during the 2024–25 NHL season.
- ^ Finnigan did not play for the current Senators franchise, which does not retain the history of the original team. The number he wore was retired because he played for the original Senators franchise and was active in campaigning to bring a new franchise to Ottawa.
- ^ The Florida Panthers retired the number 37 to honor former owner Wayne Huizenga, who owned the team between 1993 and 2001.
- ^ The Minnesota Wild retired this number to honor their fans prior to their first game on Oct 11, 2000.
- ^ O'Ree is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.
- ^ The number honors both the franchise being the 32nd to join the NHL, and the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first day they were available.
- ^ At the time of its retirement, number 27 was worn by Anders Lee, and is allowed to continue wearing the number with Tonelli's blessing.
- ^ The Florida Panthers retired the number 93 to honor president and general manager Bill Torrey because the team was founded in 1993. Torrey was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1995.
- ^ This number was retired in honor of the 58 people who were killed in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
Unofficially retired numbers
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2021) |
These numbers are not considered officially retired, but have still been removed from circulation.
- Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame |
Name Chase | Team | No. | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Aurie | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | 1938 | [95] |
Luc Bourdon | Vancouver Canucks | 28 | 2008 | |
Steve Chiasson | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | 1999 | [96] |
Theoren Fleury | Calgary Flames | 14 | 1999 | |
Jean-Sebastien Giguere | Anaheim Ducks | 35 | 2010 | |
Gordie Howe | Carolina Hurricanes | 9 | 1997 | [96] |
Olaf Kolzig | Washington Capitals | 37 | 2009 | |
Vladimir Konstantinov | Detroit Red Wings | 16 | 1997 | |
Pelle Lindbergh | Philadelphia Flyers | 31 | 1985 | [97] |
Wayne Maki | Vancouver Canucks | 11 | 1974 | |
Rick Rypien | Vancouver Canucks | 37 | 2011 | |
Josef Vasicek | Carolina Hurricanes | 63 | 2011 | |
Doug Wickenheiser | St. Louis Blues | 14 | 2002 |
Honoured numbers
editUnlike the numbers retired by the Flames, these honoured numbers were not necessarily withdrawn from circulation. Some of the numbers honoured by the Blues remain in circulation, while others have been removed from circulation without being officially retired.
A few uniform numbers of the original Winnipeg Jets were honoured by both the current Jets (originally the Atlanta Thrashers) and the Arizona Coyotes, the relocated incarnation of the original Jets. These numbers remain in circulation by both teams. As of April 2024, the Coyotes have been deactivated by the NHL.
- Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame |
Never played for that particular franchise |
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Played for the original Winnipeg Jets, whose statistical records remain with the Arizona Coyotes. The current Jets' records originate from their time as the Atlanta Thrashers.
Former retired numbers
editIt is very rare for a team to reissue a retired number, and usually requires a special circumstance, such as a number being requested for a family member (such as Bobby Hull asking the Phoenix Coyotes to allow his son Brett to wear Bobby's number 9),[107] or the player for whom the number was retired coming out of retirement himself (such as Mario Lemieux).
In cases of franchise relocation, the handling of existing retired numbers is at the discretion of team management. They may decide to continue honouring the retired numbers, such as the Dallas Stars and Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, or they may choose to make a "fresh start" and reissue the numbers, as the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes have done.
The Hurricanes have an unusual exception with regards to Gordie Howe's number 9. While the Hurricanes have not made any formal recognition of the Hartford Whalers' retirement of the number, they have kept the number out of circulation since their 1997 relocation.[96]
The Red Wings and Larry Aurie's number 6 are also something of a unique situation, as the number was officially retired, then un-retired so that his cousin, Cummy Burton, could wear it, much as the Jets/Coyotes did for the Hulls. It was then re-retired until 2000, when the Red Wings ordered it removed from the NHL's Official Guide and Record Book. Despite the unretirement, number 6 is still not available to be worn in Detroit.
- Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame |
Name | Team | No. | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Aurie | Detroit Red Wings | 6 | 1939 | [108] |
Shane Doan | Arizona Coyotes | 19 | February 24, 2019 | [109] |
Michel Goulet | Quebec Nordiques | 16 | March 16, 1995 | [110] |
Gordie Howe | Hartford Whalers | 9 | February 18, 1981 | [96] |
Bobby Hull | Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) | 9 | February 19, 1989 | [101][103] |
Rick Ley | Hartford Whalers | 2 | December 26, 1982 | [96] |
John McKenzie | Hartford Whalers | 19 | 1979 | [96] |
Thomas Steen | Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) | 25 | May 6, 1995 | [101] |
Marc Tardif | Quebec Nordiques | 8 | November 1, 1983 | [110] |
J. C. Tremblay | Quebec Nordiques | 3 | October 28, 1979 | [110] |
Quebec Nordiques | 26 | February 26, 1995 | [110] |
References
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- ^ "Oilers retire Anderson's No. 9". NHL.com. Associated Press. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
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- ^ "Saleski Scores 2 Goals As Flyers Top Hawks". The Milwaukee Sentinel. October 14, 1977. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
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- ^ a b c d e f 2014–15 New York Rangers Media Guide, p.333–336
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Montreal Canadiens (2008). "Montreal Canadiens retired numbers". Canadiens.com. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Kings To Retire Rob Blake's No. 4 Jersey In A Special Staples Center Ceremony In January". Kings.NHL.com. Los Angeles Kings. 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2015-01-18.
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- ^ CBC Sports (2001-08-14). "Avs retiring Bourque's No. 77". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Kovacevic, Dejan (2001-01-06). "Penguins Report: 01/06/01". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ Yerdon, Joe (2010-07-15). "Hurricanes to retire Rod Brind'Amour's number in February". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
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- ^ a b c Dallas Stars (2008). "Dallas Stars retired numbers". DallasStars.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Brown to have No. 23 retired by Kings on Feb. 11". NHL.com. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p.237
- ^ a b c Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 204–205
- ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (September 7, 2023). "Blackhawks to retire former captain Chris Chelios' No. 7 jersey". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p.236
- ^ Meltzer, Bill (November 27, 2007). "Great Moments: Bobby Clarke Night". Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ "Edmonton retires defenseman Coffey's No. 7". ESPN. Associated Press. 2005. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Devils to retire Daneyko's No. 3". ESPN. Associated Press. 2006. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c d e "Kings Retired Numbers". Los Angeles Kings. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ Ryan, Chris (February 24, 2018). "Devils retire Patrik Elias' No. 26 'Thank you for letting me be a Devil forever'". NJ.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chicago Blackhawks 2013–14 Media Guide, p.246–252
- ^ a b c d e St. Louis Blues 2014–15 Media Guide, p.254
- ^ Legends of Hockey (2007). "Frank Finnigan Page". LEgends of Hockey. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Dater, Adrian. "Adam Foote to see his No 52 retired by Avalanche". Denver Post.
- ^ Dater, Adrian. "Avalanche opens vs. Red Wings with tribute to Peter Forsberg Read more: Avalanche opens vs. Red Wings with tribute to Peter Forsberg". Denver Post. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ "Hurricanes honor Ron Francis, retire his No. 10". ESPN. Associated Press. 2006. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Shea, Kevin (2007). "One on One with Grant Fuhr". Legends of Hockey. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c d e f Buffalo Sabres (2008). "Buffalo Sabres retired numbers". Sabres.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ 2014–15 Washington Capitals Official Guide, p.233
- ^ a b c d New York Islanders (2008). "Key Islander Dates". NewYorkIslanders.com. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ a b "Islanders to Retire Numbers of Tonelli and Goring". New York Islanders. December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ Zinsler, Lynn (2009-02-02). "Graves Was Standout on and Off the Ice". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ a b c 2014–15 Edmonton Oilers Media Guide, p.161
- ^ Cyrgalis, Brett (5 September 2018). "Rangers to retire legend Vic Hadfield's No. 11". NYPost.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ "Sabres to retire Hasek's number before Jan. 13 game". NHL.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ Chambers, Mike (January 6, 2018). "Colorado Avalanche raised Milan Hejduk's No. 23 to the rafters". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "NEWS: Blackhawks to Retire Marian Hossa's No. 81". 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Flyers to retire Howe's No. 2". Philadelphia Flyers. March 5, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ "Panthers retire No. 37 in honor of former owner H. Wayne Huizenga". Sun-Sentinel. January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ "Blues to retire Hull's No. 16 jersey in December". ESPN. Associated Press. 2006. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ a b c Washington Capitals (2008). "Washington Capitals retired numbers". WashingtonCaps.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Jarome Iginla's No. 12 jersey to be retired in 'humbling' tribute by Calgary Flames". CBC News. January 17, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Induction Celebration". Hockey Hall of Fame. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- ^ "Penguins to Retire Jaromir Jagr's No. 68 During Pre-Game Ceremony on February 18". Pittsburgh Penguins. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b Coppinger, Mike (July 9, 2018). "Ducks will retire Paul Kariya's, Scott Niedermayer's jersey numbers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Red Kelly Number Retirement". Detroit Red Wings. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "FLAMES TO RETIRE MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF'S NUMBER 34". Calgary Flames. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ "Koivu to become first Wild player to have number retired". November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Guy Lapointe will be honoured on November 8". canadiens.com. Montreal Canadiens. 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
- ^ "Vincent Lecavalier Becomes Second Bolt In Team History To Have Number Retired". nhl.com. Tampa Bay Lightning. September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ Robinson, Alan (November 20, 1997). "Lemieux Teary as His Jersey Retired". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "Red Wings to retire Lidstrom's No. 5". NHL.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ "Flyers to Retire No. 88 Jersey of Eric Lindros". Philadelphia Flyers. August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "Lowe to have No. 4 retired by Oilers before game against Rangers". NHL.com. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
- ^ "Lundqvist to have No. 30 retired by Rangers this season". NHL.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ "Luongo to have number retired by Panthers". Florida Panthers. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Sharks to Retire Patrick Marleau's Jersey Number". NHL.com. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "Flames set to retire Mike Vernon's No. 30". Calgary Flames. February 4, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Tony Care and Rob Sinclair (2006). "Honouring No. 11". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ "Middleton 'Honored' To Take His Place Alongside Bruins Legends". Boston Bruins. July 31, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- ^ "Buffalo Sabres to retire goalie Ryan Miller's No. 30 next season". ESPN.com. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
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- ^ Stepneski, Mark (2013-06-06). "Nine To Be Raised To The Rafters". Dallas Stars official website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
- ^ "Nash to have No. 61 retired by Blue Jackets on March 5". National Hockey League. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ Botta, Christopher (December 16, 2011). "Scott Niedermayer's Jersey Is Retired by Devils". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ "Neil to have No. 25 retired by Senators on Feb. 17". NHL.com. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- ^ "Willie O'Ree number retirement ceremony rescheduled for 2022". nhl.nbcsports.com. February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Ottawa Senators to retire Chris Phillips' number 4". Ottawa Senators. October 5, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ Pinkert, Chris (February 3, 2017). "Blues retire Plager's No. 5 to the rafters". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ "Pronger to have No. 44 retired by Blues in ceremony". NHL.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ "Jean Ratelle's Number 19 to Be Retired on February 25, 2018". New York Rangers. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ "Preds to Retire Rinne's No. 35 on Feb. 24, 2022 at Bridgestone Arena". NHL.com. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ ESPN (2003). "Avalanche retire Roy's No. 33". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Avalanche Retires Sakic's #19". Colorado Avalanche. October 1, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ "Kraken retire No. 32 before home opener to honor fans". NHL.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "Sedins to have numbers retired by Canucks in February". NHL.com. June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- ^ Lapointe, Joe (1993-02-20). "This Time, His Number Will Raise to the Roof". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Vancouver Canucks (2008). "Stan Smyl Profile on Canucks.com". Canucks.com. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Martin St. Louis gets his No. 26 retired by Tampa Bay Lightning (Video)". Yahoo! Sports: Puck Daddy. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
- ^ "Eric Staal retires, will have No. 12 retired by Hurricanes". NHL.com. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ CBC Sports (2006-02-04). "Devils honour Scott Stevens". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ "San Jose Sharks legend Joe Thornton will have his #19 retired at SAP Center in the 2024-25 season". San Jose Sharks. January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Florida Panthers 14–15 Media Guide, p.14
- ^ "Golden Knights Retire Jersey No. 58". 31 March 2018.
- ^ "Hurricanes honor Wesley, retire No. 2". NHL.com. Associated Press. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ Allen, Kevin (2007-01-03). "Red Wings retire Yzerman's No. 19 jersey". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Stars to retire Sergei Zubov's No. 56 on Jan. 28, 2022 vs. Capitals". NHL.com. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ "Kukla's Korner Hockey – Kukla's Korner". KuklasKorner.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Tusa, Susan. "Hurricanes always honored Howe, quietly and unofficially — DeCock". newsobserver. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ Seravalli, Frank (November 11, 2010). "Pelle Lindbergh's spirit lives on, 25 years after fatal crash". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ Leighton Accardo never played for the franchise, but was a member of the Arizona Kachinas youth hockey program, a fan of the Coyotes, and signed a one-day contract with the team in 2019 before she died at nine years old from cancer on November 24, 2020. Her youth hockey number of 49 was placed into the Ring of Honor and the Coyotes wore an "LA49" decal on their helmets throughout the 2020–21 season. "Arizona Coyotes to induct 9-year-old girl who died of cancer into team's ring of honor". ESPN. April 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e St. Louis Blues. "History". blues.nhl.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.294
- ^ Vest, Dave (March 4, 2014). "Coyotes Add Erat on Night Before Trade Deadline". Arizona Coyotes. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b "'Yotes Notes: Gagner Embraces Pressure of Providing Offense". Arizona Coyotes. September 19, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ Vickers, Aaron (2012-02-28). "'Forever a Flame', MacInnis savours special moment". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
- ^ Cruickshank, Scott (2014-02-07). "Nieuwendyk will be Forever a Flame". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ^ a b c Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.295
- ^ "BOBBY HULL UN-RETIRES NO. 9 FOR SON BRETT HULL". Phoenix Coyotes. October 8, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Red Wings Retired Numbers". DetroitHockey.Net. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Coyotes to Retire Doan's No. 19 Jersey on Feb. 24". Arizona Coyotes. August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d 2014–2015 Colorado Avalanche Media Guide, p.190
External links
editMedia related to Retired numbers of National Hockey League players at Wikimedia Commons