NHL Legends Explain Why They Picked Their Jersey Number | Part 1

NHL Legends and current players explain the story behind their jersey numbers. Episode 1 features Mario Lemieux, Lanny McDonald and Mike Gartner.
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[@dmech06]

It’s almost a sin to not feature jagr even though he’s in the thumbnail.

[@wahockey8449]

@Squilliam Tate All these guys are retired, Jagr might play til he's 70 years old

[@fifa2446]

He said that he wore it because when he was young, his grandma told him about 1968, when the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia with tanks. So he wore it to honor that we all lived through those terrible times under Communist regime.

[@aw5someeggs286]

who does jagr play for rn?

[@adamzenisek7306]

@@aw5someeggs286 for Kladno his hometown

[@aw5someeggs286]

@@adamzenisek7306 he's not in the nhl?

[@headlights-go-up]

Jagr in the thumbnail but not the video. That’s a dangit.

[@frloopr]

I know this one "Mike Hoffman was my idol growing up" - Jaromir Jagr

[@familyhanson2531]

That is a big dangit

[@MapleLeafs96]

I don’t know if you guys know it but JJ’s number refers to 1968 occupation of Czechoslovakia by the arms of the Warsaw pact or I should say the victims of this event

[@martinvanek7172]

@@MapleLeafs96 In that (our) occupation, I think his grandfather died

[@lpenna7307]

Pepsi Puppy lmaooo

[@SverigeiSverige]

Number by birth Jesse Puljujärvi 98 Mikhail Sergachev 98 Connor McDavid 97 Mikko Rantanen 96 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 93 Mika Zibanejad 93 Gabriel Landeskog 92 Evgeny Kuznetsov 92 Taylor Hall 91 Marcus Johansson 90 Sam Gagner 89 Cory Conacher 89 Patrick Kane 88 Jamie McGinn 88 Sidney Crosby 87 Vadim Shipachyov 87 Nikolai Kulemin 86 Wojtek Wolski 86 Rotislav Olesz 85 Mikhail Grabrovski 84 Matt Foy 83 Ales Hemsky 83 Marian Gaborik 82 Tomas Kopecky 82 Marcel Hossa 81 Nik Antropov 80 Mike York 78 Radek Bonk 76 Wayne Primeau 76 Hal Gill 75 Brett Lindros 75

[@alainsoucysergerie9879]

Cool list. It becomes more obvious by the mid-80s I'd say. Had no idea for a few older guys like Gill though. Where and when did Bonk sport the 76? I remember him wearing 14 both in Ottawa and Montréal.

[@SverigeiSverige]

Le jeune Alain Bonk started with 76, his first three season's with Ottawa, changed to 14 1997.

[@andreasenglund3101]

Glöm inte Evgeny Kuznetsov, 92 ;) (For all you English speakers: Don't forget Evgeny Kuznetsov 92)

[@SverigeiSverige]

Andreas Englund la till honom. 😉

[@samuelluria4744]

Why would Gaborik change to #10 when he went to the Rangers? It's not like that number (82)was taken...?

[@jackcanning9013]

Jagr wears 68 cause of the Prague spring

[@geraldclydeabella3350]

For his grandfather tribute

[@nicknicknick7759]

I swear everyone’s numbers are because they couldn’t have the number they actually wanted

[@Romeo38rus]

Sid Crosby: "I've always been a fan of Vadim Shipachyov's game in Vegas, thus my number as a matter of respect"

[@BigVuVu]

we're talkin' bout legends mate

[@TJGibson0]

@PhoneyBros Not just birth year. He was born August 7th, 1987. So 8/7/'87. Hence why his number is 87 and he signed for 8.7 million a year

[@arye4734]

Balázs Horváth no

[@maxglide]

arye yes

[@harrisonrollins47]

😂😂😂

[@NESADDICT]

I always said I wanted to be 67 because it was between Mario and Jagr. I always thought that would be a dope reason.

[@NESADDICT]

taco meat is that why he did it? I always wondered why Max Pacioretty had it.

[@ogdentaylor7473]

I'd want to wear 67 just to make fun of the Leafs

[@jirimatejicek6104]

Well, in the Czech Republic, Frolík was said to be the next Jágr (he was a very promising talent back then) so I guess that was the reason

[@FrodoMaster1996]

@ratmfan223344 Jágr is our national treasure.

[@theMrFouldsy]

@ratmfan223344 Even if Jagr was Canadian, I don't think many people would rate him over Orr or Howe. He'd probably be cemented as #5 though.

[@Pigeons420]

It’s amazing to hear the admiration amongst the players for the ones who came before. Respect

[@SverigeiSverige]

More of this! 👍 Glad to see Mike Gartner. 🙂

[@Scandinavian1962]

That's cool and all, but where's John Scott?

[@canojr3632]

GOAT

[@jonathancote9372]

Petr Klima had an interesting story, he's not a legend, but that's my thing in hockey, pick a weird number so you can tell people why you choose it. I pick 92 and tell different story it's either that it is Vokoun backwards, my year of birth (wich is not) or the year i make it to the western countries

[@dalebaxter5920]

Never thought I’d see John Davidson in a video titled NHL Legends.

[@samuelluria4744]

Why not??

[@isaacwest276]

Jágr’s story might be a bit controversial to some audiences. In 1968, Czechoslovakia was under USSR control and tried to fight back. In the end, the effort was not enough. In spite of this the event rose as an event of Czech pride and solidarity - where they fought back against the communists overlords. As such, Czech player Jágr honoured the event bu taking number 68.

[@wrektum]

What a cool video. It's interesting to hear how some people got their numbers. Would like to hear about Jagr however

[@canojr3632]

The original sharks jerseys were amazing

[@pyrokiller36]

I love these videos about legends of the game good job

[@randomname9758]

That was pretty interesting. It would be great to see more of the player's stories on how they got their numbers. I played rec league goalie and I had to be # 1

[@PeterKKraus]

Because you're an egomaniac?

[@pathurd9595]

22 is an underrated number

[@Marleau_Seneca]

#17 was always my number during my minor league days. No particular reason, no particular idol... I just liked how the number looked.

[@dragonballsilliness971]

I always liked Lindros and his number.

[@samuelluria4744]

So did Hitler.

[@Russianfeels529]

Great content

[@andyc9979]

I remember going to sabres games as a kid and when I saw Gartner play against us I couldn't believe how fast he was. He really was as fast as they said he was

[@andreasenglund3101]

I don't know if this is true, but did Sergei Fedorov wear number 91 as a homage to Steve Yzermans number 19 reverse? Or is that false?

[@Mickelraven]

If i was a hockey player, i'd basically have some kind of a similar story than Lemieux. My number was originally 86, but if i ever played for the team i'm rooting for, there's already someone with 86. So i flipped 86 upside down, and boom! 98! It's a cool number, it's in-between Gretzky and McDavid, no one rarely uses 98 (except Sergachev), and 1998 was the year when Helsinki IFK won their legendary championship. So if i became a hockey legend, i would've like for people to think that "Michael Helin is the guy who wore 98" whenever someone asked someone else that "who wears 98"?

[@indianheadlogan]

I see this is part #1 only. *ALL POST NOTIFICATIONS TURNED ON*

[@legitcubing6283]

2:44 who else saw the slash after the goal in the background

[@MrNoraxe]

Dominik Hasek: Had 9 in Pardubice, came to Chicago and one of the Chicago personell asked which number he wanted and he said 9, then they pointed into the rafters. So he ended up with 39 :)

[@loupgarou1317]

When I played regularly I picked either 13 or 17 , because almost no one else wanted 13, and Bates Battalugia along with a few other NHL'ers used that numper, as for 17, Rod Brind'amour was the main reason ......

[@mikespeed1089]

I’ve always liked 13 and 17 because of Datsyuk and Brind’Amour respectively. Had to change to 31 when both were taken and my brother was 71 already

[@rohinkartik-narayan7535]

I like how everyone just wants to be Gordie Howe Personally I ended up with 59 being my favorite number because it was the last number I had playing youth hockey (we had to change our number every year so I was 3, 4, 42, 25, and 59). The season I wore 25 was actually the best season a team I played on every had, but 42 was the only one I chose (Hitchhiker's Guide)

[@mathieuderome149]

I was 42 about 4 times when i played hockey...now i use that number in everything (email, gamertags, psn...)

[@colinvawter512]

Rohin Kartik-Narayan I picked 42 same reason

[@thehappydiamond7904]

What a sin featuring jagr in the thumb nail and not in the vid!

[@womensrightsgaming9795]

Sa dude

[@tymacdougall3140]

1968 was a significant year something important happened in Czech

[@owenhutchison4295]

Don't play hockey but I feel like I would be 11 because Brenden Gallagher.

[@Mickelraven]

I would wear 98, even though no one pretty much wears it. Sure, there's Puljujärvi and Sergachev, but there really isn't any legends with 98

[@hendersontim6903]

@@Mickelraven Bedard will be the next

[@nicksanchez1615]

Shoulda got TJ Oshie on to explain his 74 for his kill count at UND

[@mikestettenbenz8743]

I've worn 97 most of my career. My first season was 96. Only because 97 was already taken. On my current team I wore 77 for the first game then I had it changed to 97.

[@jdwhoa]

I've always worn number 8 because I grew up watching Joe Pavelski play for the Sharks. I felt like I could relate with him since I was pretty undersized compared to most of the guys on the ice.

[@ThePolerbearproducts]

I’d pick 22 since it’s my favorite number. Always liked how it rolled off the tongue. If it was taken/retired My backup numbers would be: -57 (my mom’s birth year) -70 (my dads) -96 (mine)

[@thugmouth5251]

Your moms a cougar dude

[@nonexistentnave8615]

Mario Lemieux would beat Wayne Gretzky’s record if he didn’t have Hodgkin’s. Lemieux played at least 15-18 years of hockey. He stopped in 1996 I believe and came back 2 seasons later, played five more years and retired in 2006. Lemieux is now the Pittsburgh Penguins Owner.

[@frankiegaliffa3850]

I chose 12 cause of Bondra all through juniors, I was also 4, 5, 7, 11, 19, 26, and 92 was for my birthyear

[@EasyTarget82]

12 for simon gagne

[@labs3768]

Maurice Richard had the 15. Then when his daughter was born, she was 9 pound. So he switch for the 9

[@jonathancote9372]

i don't think he chooses 15 in the first place, it was the last jerseys hang and was good for rookie player

[@isaacwest276]

It’s funny. As an Edmontonian I’m supposed to hate Flames players. And I do. But they’re also playing for Alberta and I’m Albertan. So once they retire or are gone, I love them. Iginla, McDonald, Horton and so on. I don’t know if I’ll ever like the Tkatchuks but I’ll probably like Giordano and Rittich.

[@indianheadlogan]

Gretzky picked 99 because Gordy Howe was his idol and he wore 9. #9 was either taken, or Gretzky didn't think he should wear the same number (I'm drawing a blank on the reason right now, but I'm pretty sure Gretzky wore 9 in peewees). Then Gretzky just decided to have 2 nines. And he played double as great

[@indianheadlogan]

I know nobody asked, but if I ever got to pick my jersey number for any sport, I'd pick #24 because both of my parents were born on the 24th of the month. If #24 is taken, I'd pick #26 because Max Kepler is my all time favorite baseball player, and Paul Statsny is my all time favorite hockey player, and they both wear #26. I've thought about cutting the difference and wearing #25, but then thought not because #25 has no meaning to me.

[@applebitefool]

Lemieux wore 66 because its 99 upside down. Gretzky wore 99 because if Howe. Howe was inspired by Maurice Richard to wear 9. The rocket switched to #9 because his daughter Henriette was born at 9lbs in the summer of 43 👌🏼

[@Jm-qp7kz]

Awesome

[@MotterPotter]

Sorry to fans of other teams. But there's only one number 9, that's the rocket. Not a single player who wore that number comes close to him.

[@jonathancote9372]

All goalie prior the 60's : well i chose 1 because .... it was the biggest jersey

[@mmaelite5334]

I'm 9 or 10 bc 9 for Mr.Hockey and 10 for Guy Lafleur

[@EasyTarget82]

Ive been 12 post high school but 15 is my alternate choice.

[@alainsoucysergerie9879]

Josh Ho Sang: "I'm just sooo good, y'know!"

[@womensrightsgaming9795]

I always wanted to be number 2 as a defender because it is half of the perfect hockey player Orr and even though I'd never be half what he is I still thought 2 was good, I'm a goaltender now and I chose 16 because somebody gave me their old jersey and it was 16 so I said "heck it" and took the number. It's weird because I used to be 2 and now im 16 but my brother used to be 16 and is now 2

[@Aenima308]

“If I can’t be #69 I’m not playing.” -Jamie Oleksiak at Northeastern

[@frisk702]

My favorite will always be Jordin Tootoo

[@PeterKKraus]

Hasek picked 39 no explanation needed.

[@coasterhockygamingboy9549]

I have not watched this video yet and i knew gretzky was 99 because his hockey idol was gordie howe and he always played number 9 because that is Howe’s number but when he joined the minors as a teenager the number 9 was already taken so instead of one 9 he did two 9’s which is 99

[@officialmusicvideo2605]

I know nobody asked, but I’d choose to wear 52. My first love was basketball, and when I played in youth leagues I was given 52, and it’s just stuck with me.

[@codekhalil6437]

no. I asked.

[@zigfield723]

Lemeuix picked 66 because it was 99 upside down, Jagr picked 68 because it was close to Lemeuix.

[@codekhalil6437]

If you rearrange the letters in Jaromir Jagr, you get Mario Jr 😎

[@abcdecghijklmn]

Jagr 68!!!!! Never forget get the brave people!!!!!!!!!

[@rjlangille]

There is a lot less comments than I thought.

[@Ranskulainen]

Jagr tells that 68 is a tribute to the "Praha spring" in 1968 and to his grandfather who died that year BUT his grandfather really died in 1969 so hes been lying this whole time

[@tomace194]

Red wings are going to run out of numbers. Probably why datsyuk's isn't in the rafters. If he was on any other team it would be.

[@willlonganbach2734]

They need to retire Howe’s number throughout the league. Think about it. 9 is already the most retired number in the league and gordie howe is in my opinion the 2nd best player ever and he just died and he inspired so many people in today’s NHL

[@lpenna7307]

I would have worn #80. An NHL legend has never worn 80 for most of his career

[@samuelluria4744]

Antropov

[@tadsite]

I'm 54 purely as it's my fav number.

[@SpookyBitch__]

69 is the best number ever

[@RushAnthem69]

Hard to believe those Penguin teams only won 2 cups.

[@dangermartin69]

Not really. They had no defense.

[@originalcarpet3376]

It looks like mcdonald has a bicycle helmet

[@mcbot759]

I’m number 71 for no reason

[@Oi-od9oo]

It was sooooo easy to score back then

[@MrTumorHumor]

99 rotated is 66, not upside down...

[@leoberget750]

I want number 12

[@abcdecghijklmn]

Kurri 17!!!!!

[@abcdecghijklmn]

Comes from 1917!

[@dannykeefe8793]

Bobby is the best

[@womensrightsgaming9795]

Bobby Orr

[@womensrightsgaming9795]

Ybbob

[@codekhalil6437]

Retire 66 league wide. It is time.

[@highwaymaintainer]

#59

[@BobbyBoca]

Still Pist off the Rangers traded Gartner!

[@TadeasGavenda]

I think Stevie Y told once he took 19 as a honor to his idol Bryan Trottier, funny thing is that when all is said and done Stevie surpassed his idol in most categories and now Trottier might say he wore Stevie's number :D

[@mpuchar5003]

Stevie Y isn't that far ahead of him, if at all...

[@TadeasGavenda]

@@mpuchar5003 Yes, Trottier has impressive number as well, but I think Stevie is a bit ahead. Probably the greatest captain (Messier might be a contender as well).

[@leebeighton7108]

I learnt literally nothing from that.

[@jbcnxter2384]

#numbers

[@ErikWoodsCinSoundRadio]

More...

[@richardspadafora7887]

First

[@jbcnxter2384]

#number

[@popeyesailor9571]

I am so sick of these big numbers. Just play with regular number FFS

[@apurephysicalspecimen4609]

I put 69 as my number in be a pro because when my dad played football, that was his number, so I have an excuse. And when I start to play football, I still have that excuse