List of National Hockey League retired numbers explained

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.

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; Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number.

, 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:

Retired numbers

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.

NameTeamNo.DateRef
12
11[1]
9[2]
10[3]
4[4] [5]
6
7[6]
5
9[7]
4[8]
4[9]
22[10]
3
77[11]
[12]
1
21[13]
17[14]
1
30[15]
7[16]
23[17]
9
10[18]
7[19]
7
5
17
16[20]
7[21]
9
12
3[22]
4
10
16[23]
29
26[24]
7
35[25]
24[26]
8[27]
52[28]
21[29]
10[30]
31[31]
23
18
11[32]
3
5
1
7
9
93
8
91[33]
9[34]
99[35]
11[36]
1
3
2
39[37]
23[38]
3
2
7
81[39]
9
2[40]
3
37[41]
9
16[42]
32[43]
12[44] [45]
68[46]
9
4
4[47]
9
14
34[48]
9[49]
17
7
16
10
16
5
5[50]
4[51]
2
26
66[52]
5[53]
16
88[54]
7
4[55]
30[56]
1[57]
2
3
27
12[58]
7
19
9[59]
11[60]
11
16[61]
21
30[62]
1[63]
9[64]
12
7
61[65]
19
27[66]
[67]
8[68]
25[69]
23
22[70]
24
4
1
11[71]
4[72]
3
8
5[73]
1
5[74]
44[75]
19[76]
16
9
35
35[77]
14
19
20
33[78]
19[79]
21
18
18
1
15
32[80]
22[81]
33
8
2[82]
27
31[83]
12[84]
26[85]
12January 12, 2025[86]
4[87]
13
11
18
19November 23, 2024[88]
27
93[89]
19
30
30
58[90]
2[91]
19[92]
56[93]
99[94]

Unofficially retired numbers

These numbers are not considered officially retired, but have still been removed from circulation.

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Name ChaseTeamNo.DateRef
6[95]
28
3[96]
14
35
9
37
16
31 [97]
11
37
63
14

Honoured numbers

Unlike 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
NameTeamNo.DateRef
49[98]
7[99]
8[100]
99
10[101] [102]
10
15
9[103]
9
80
14
2[104]
7
25[105]
14
27[106]
27
97
13
4
25
25
7
7
7
14

Former retired numbers

It 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
NameTeamNo.DateRef
6[108]
19[109]
16[110]
9
9
2
191979
25
8
3
26

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ottawa Senators to retire Daniel Alfredsson's number 11 . Ottawa Senators . August 16, 2016 . August 19, 2016.
  2. Web site: Oilers retire Anderson's No. 9. 2009-02-17. NHL.com. 2009. Associated Press.
  3. Web site: Maple Leafs retire 11 jersey numbers at ceremony. 2016-10-16. NHL.com. 2016. NHL.
  4. News: Flyers pay tribute to Barry Ashbee . Associated Press. . October 13, 1977 . October 30, 2013.
  5. News: Saleski Scores 2 Goals As Flyers Top Hawks . . October 14, 1977 . October 30, 2013 . May 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160513005811/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FY5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7BEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6842,2565713 . dead .
  6. News: This Date in Flyers History: October 11 . Philadelphia Flyers . October 11, 2012 . October 2, 2014.
  7. 2014–15 New York Rangers Media Guide, p.333–336
  8. Web site: Montreal Canadiens retired numbers. 2008-03-06. Canadiens.com. 2008. Montreal Canadiens.
  9. Web site: Kings To Retire Rob Blake's No. 4 Jersey In A Special Staples Center Ceremony In January. Kings.NHL.com. Los Angeles Kings. 2015-01-18. 2014-08-11.
  10. News: Bossy Left His Numbers Behind Him. 2008-03-06. New York Times. Vecsey, George . 1992-03-04.
  11. News: Bourque's No. 77 retired. 2008-03-11. CBC.ca. CBC Sports . 2001-10-04.
  12. News: Avs retiring Bourque's No. 77. 2008-03-11. CBC.ca. CBC Sports . 2001-08-14.
  13. News: Penguins Report: 01/06/01. Kovacevic, Dejan. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2001-01-06. 2008-03-06.
  14. News: Hurricanes to retire Rod Brind'Amour's number in February. 2010-10-26. NBC Sports. Yerdon. Joe. 2010-07-15.
  15. News: Devils to retire Brodeur's number before Feb. 9 game. 2015-10-06. NHL.com. Mike G.. Morreale. 2016-01-02.
  16. Web site: Dallas Stars retired numbers . 2008-03-06 . DallasStars.com . 2008 . Dallas Stars . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071204064905/http://stars.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=sta_history-retired . 2007-12-04 .
  17. Web site: Brown to have No. 23 retired by Kings on Feb. 11. NHL.com. July 26, 2022. July 28, 2022.
  18. Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 204–205
  19. Web site: Roumeliotis . Charlie . Blackhawks to retire former captain Chris Chelios' No. 7 jersey . NBC Sports Chicago . September 7, 2023 . September 7, 2023.
  20. News: Great Moments: Bobby Clarke Night . Philadelphia Flyers . Bill . Meltzer . November 27, 2007 . October 2, 2014.
  21. Web site: Edmonton retires defenseman Coffey's No. 7. 2008-03-06. ESPN. 2005. Associated Press.
  22. Web site: Devils to retire Daneyko's No. 3. 2008-04-22. ESPN. 2006. Associated Press.
  23. Web site: Kings Retired Numbers . January 13, 2015 . Los Angeles Kings.
  24. Web site: Ryan. Chris. Devils retire Patrik Elias' No. 26 'Thank you for letting me be a Devil forever'. NJ.com. February 25, 2018. February 24, 2018.
  25. Chicago Blackhawks 2013–14 Media Guide, p.246–252
  26. St. Louis Blues 2014–15 Media Guide, p.254
  27. Web site: Frank Finnigan Page. 2008-04-22. LEgends of Hockey. 2007. Legends of Hockey.
  28. News: Dater. Adrian. Adam Foote to see his No 52 retired by Avalanche. Denver Post.
  29. News: 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. 9 October 2011.
  30. Web site: Hurricanes honor Ron Francis, retire his No. 10. 2008-04-22. ESPN. 2006. Associated Press.
  31. Web site: One on One with Grant Fuhr . 2008-04-22 . Legends of Hockey . 2007 . Shea, Kevin . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517163254/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/spot_oneononep200301.htm . 2008-05-17 .
  32. 2014–15 Washington Capitals Official Guide, p.233
  33. Web site: Islanders to Retire Numbers of Tonelli and Goring . New York Islanders . December 18, 2019 . December 19, 2019.
  34. News: Graves Was Standout on and Off the Ice. 2009-02-17. New York Times. 2009-02-02. Zinsler, Lynn.
  35. 2014–15 Edmonton Oilers Media Guide, p.161
  36. Web site: Rangers to retire legend Vic Hadfield's No. 11. Brett. Cyrgalis. 5 September 2018. NYPost.com. 9 April 2019.
  37. Web site: Sabres to retire Hasek's number before Jan. 13 game. NHL.com. 9 April 2019.
  38. Web site: Colorado Avalanche raised Milan Hejduk's No. 23 to the rafters . The Denver Post . Mike . Chambers . January 6, 2018 . January 10, 2018.
  39. Web site: NEWS: Blackhawks to Retire Marian Hossa's No. 81 . 8 April 2022 .
  40. News: Flyers to retire Howe's No. 2 . Philadelphia Flyers . March 5, 2012 . October 2, 2014.
  41. News: Panthers retire No. 37 in honor of former owner H. Wayne Huizenga . Sun-Sentinel . January 19, 2018 . February 7, 2018.
  42. Web site: Blues to retire Hull's No. 16 jersey in December. 2008-04-22. ESPN. 2006. Associated Press.
  43. Web site: Washington Capitals retired numbers . 2008-03-06 . WashingtonCaps.com . 2008 . Washington Capitals . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080428005415/http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=11968 . 2008-04-28 .
  44. News: Jarome Iginla's No. 12 jersey to be retired in 'humbling' tribute by Calgary Flames . CBC News . January 17, 2019 . March 4, 2019.
  45. News: 2020 Induction Celebration . . June 24, 2020 . June 25, 2020.
  46. Web site: Penguins to Retire Jaromir Jagr's No. 68 During Pre-Game Ceremony on February 18 . Pittsburgh Penguins . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023.
  47. Web site: Red Kelly Number Retirement . Detroit Red Wings . October 11, 2018 . October 12, 2018.
  48. Web site: FLAMES TO RETIRE MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF'S NUMBER 34 . Calgary Flames . July 18, 2023 . July 18, 2023.
  49. Web site: Koivu to become first Wild player to have number retired . November 29, 2021 . November 30, 2021.
  50. Web site: Guy Lapointe will be honoured on November 8. canadiens.com. Montreal Canadiens. 2014-10-12. 2014-09-12.
  51. Web site: Vincent Lecavalier Becomes Second Bolt In Team History To Have Number Retired . . September 25, 2017 . nhl.com . . September 25, 2017 .
  52. News: Robinson. Alan. Lemieux Teary as His Jersey Retired. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . March 3, 2013. November 20, 1997.
  53. Web site: Red Wings to retire Lidstrom's No. 5. NHL.com. 9 April 2019.
  54. Web site: Flyers to Retire No. 88 Jersey of Eric Lindros . Philadelphia Flyers . August 28, 2017 . January 10, 2018.
  55. Web site: Lowe to have No. 4 retired by Oilers before game against Rangers. NHL.com. 2021-09-20.
  56. Web site: Lundqvist to have No. 30 retired by Rangers this season. NHL.com. 2021-08-20.
  57. Web site: Luongo to have number retired by Panthers . Florida Panthers . August 12, 2019 . August 13, 2019.
  58. Web site: Sharks to Retire Patrick Marleau's Jersey Number. NHL.com. July 28, 2022. July 28, 2022.
  59. Web site: Flames set to retire Mike Vernon's No. 30 . Calgary Flames . February 4, 2007 . March 19, 2017.
  60. News: Honouring No. 11. 2008-04-22. CBC.ca. 2006. Tony Care and Rob Sinclair.
  61. Web site: Middleton 'Honored' To Take His Place Alongside Bruins Legends . Boston Bruins . July 31, 2018 . August 3, 2018.
  62. Web site: Buffalo Sabres to retire goalie Ryan Miller's No. 30 next season. ESPN.com. June 10, 2022. June 13, 2022.
  63. Web site: This Day in MN Hockey History: October 11 . Minnesota Hockey Magazine . October 11, 2014 . July 2, 2015.
  64. Web site: Nine To Be Raised To The Rafters. 2013-06-06. Dallas Stars official website. Mark. Stepneski. 2013-06-06.
  65. Web site: Nash to have No. 61 retired by Blue Jackets on March 5 . National Hockey League . November 11, 2021 . November 11, 2021.
  66. News: Ducks will retire Paul Kariya's, Scott Niedermayer's jersey numbers . Coppinger . Mike . July 9, 2018 . . August 5, 2018.
  67. Web site: Scott Niedermayer's Jersey Is Retired by Devils . . Christopher . Botta . December 16, 2011 . November 9, 2015.
  68. Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p.237
  69. Web site: Neil to have No. 25 retired by Senators on Feb. 17. NHL.com. November 8, 2022. November 8, 2022.
  70. Web site: Willie O'Ree number retirement ceremony rescheduled for 2022. nhl.nbcsports.com. February 11, 2021.
  71. Web site: Buffalo Sabres retired numbers . 2008-03-06 . Sabres.com . 2008 . Buffalo Sabres . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080912184531/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/retired_numbers.htm . 2008-09-12 .
  72. Web site: Ottawa Senators to retire Chris Phillips' number 4 . Ottawa Senators . October 5, 2019 . February 14, 2020.
  73. Web site: Blues retire Plager's No. 5 to the rafters . St. Louis Blues . Chris . Pinkert . February 3, 2017 . February 11, 2017.
  74. Web site: Key Islander Dates. 2008-03-11. NewYorkIslanders.com. 2008. New York Islanders.
  75. Web site: Pronger to have No. 44 retired by Blues in ceremony. NHL.com. 2021-08-20.
  76. Web site: Jean Ratelle's Number 19 to Be Retired on February 25, 2018 . New York Rangers . August 28, 2017 . August 28, 2017.
  77. Web site: Preds to Retire Rinne's No. 35 on Feb. 24, 2022 at Bridgestone Arena. NHL.com. 3 November 2021 . 2021-11-04.
  78. Web site: Avalanche retire Roy's No. 33. 2008-03-11. ESPN. 2003. ESPN.
  79. News: Avalanche Retires Sakic's #19 . . October 1, 2009 . June 8, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091129031057/http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=500710 . November 29, 2009 .
  80. Web site: October 23, 2021 . Kraken retire No. 32 before home opener to honor fans . October 24, 2021 . NHL.com.
  81. Web site: Sedins to have numbers retired by Canucks in February . NHL.com. June 21, 2019 . June 23, 2019.
  82. Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p.236
  83. News: This Time, His Number Will Raise to the Roof. 2008-03-11. New York Times. Lapointe, Joe . 1993-02-20.
  84. Web site: Stan Smyl Profile on Canucks.com . 2008-03-06 . Canucks.com . 2008 . Vancouver Canucks . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080321061545/http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=191 . 2008-03-21 .
  85. Web site: Martin St. Louis gets his No. 26 retired by Tampa Bay Lightning (Video) . Yahoo! Sports: Puck Daddy . January 13, 2017 . January 15, 2017.
  86. Web site: Eric Staal retires, will have No. 12 retired by Hurricanes . NHL.com . July 30, 2024 . July 30, 2024.
  87. News: Devils honour Scott Stevens. 2008-04-22. CBC.ca. CBC Sports . 2006-02-04.
  88. Web site: 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 . February 14, 2024.
  89. Florida Panthers 14–15 Media Guide, p.14
  90. News: Golden Knights Retire Jersey No. 58 . 31 March 2018.
  91. Web site: Hurricanes honor Wesley, retire No. 2 . 2009-02-17. NHL.com. 2009. Associated Press.
  92. News: Red Wings retire Yzerman's No. 19 jersey. 2008-03-06. USA Today. Allen, Kevin . 2007-01-03.
  93. Web site: Stars to retire Sergei Zubov's No. 56 on Jan. 28, 2022 vs. Capitals. NHL.com. 29 July 2021 . 2021-08-20.
  94. Web site: Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game . CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press . February 6, 2000 . June 9, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112022319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ . November 12, 2013 .
  95. Web site: Kukla's Korner Hockey – Kukla's Korner. KuklasKorner.com. 9 April 2019.
  96. Web site: Hurricanes always honored Howe, quietly and unofficially — DeCock. Susan. Tusa. newsobserver. 9 April 2019.
  97. News: Pelle Lindbergh's spirit lives on, 25 years after fatal crash . Seravalli . Frank . Philadelphia Daily News . November 11, 2010 . October 2, 2014.
  98. 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. Web site: Arizona Coyotes to induct 9-year-old girl who died of cancer into team's ring of honor . . April 16, 2021.
  99. Web site: History. 2012-11-09. blues.nhl.com . St. Louis Blues.
  100. Web site: Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame . Winnipeg Jets . March 1, 2020.
  101. Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.294
  102. Web site: Coyotes Add Erat on Night Before Trade Deadline . Dave . Vest . Arizona Coyotes . March 4, 2014 . July 2, 2015.
  103. Web site: 'Yotes Notes: Gagner Embraces Pressure of Providing Offense . Arizona Coyotes . September 19, 2014 . July 2, 2015.
  104. News: Vickers . Aaron . 'Forever a Flame', MacInnis savours special moment . National Hockey League . 2012-02-28 . 2012-03-01.
  105. News: Cruickshank . Scott . Nieuwendyk will be Forever a Flame . Calgary Herald . 2014-02-07 . 2014-02-07.
  106. Arizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.295
  107. Web site: BOBBY HULL UN-RETIRES NO. 9 FOR SON BRETT HULL . Phoenix Coyotes . October 8, 2005 . July 2, 2015.
  108. Web site: Red Wings Retired Numbers . DetroitHockey.Net . October 12, 2018.
  109. Web site: Coyotes to Retire Doan's No. 19 Jersey on Feb. 24 . Arizona Coyotes . August 1, 2018 . August 1, 2018.
  110. 2014–2015 Colorado Avalanche Media Guide, p.190

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