Sweater numbers are synonymous with players. Most hockey fans can instantly tell you a great player by the number they wear on their back. There are many different stories about how players became associated with the famous numbers. Many odd and interesting facts surround these numbers as well. As we count down the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, we take a look at the story behind the numbers. Today we continue with sweater number 74. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 74
The First 74s
According to Hockey Reference, 37 players have worn sweater number 74 in NHL history. The first player to don the number was Steve Larouche with the Ottawa Senators. Larouche had a very short NHL career of 26 games. He only played 18 games in the 74 sweater before moving to the New York Rangers mid-season. The Rouyn, Quebec native would wear 20 and 39 for the rest of his career.
Another player to wear 74 was Jay McKee when he did so with the Buffalo Sabres. However, he’d stick around in the league for 802 games. McKee had worn 38 before switching to sweater number 74. The Kingston, Ontario native would briefly go with 77 with the St. Louis Blues, but went back to 74 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brantt Myhres would also wear the number three different times with his first in the 1996-97 season.
Famous 74s
Paul Coffey is the most famous player to wear 74, but it was for one season. Coffey donned 74 out of respect to Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque. The sweater arrangement only lasted for 18 games in the 2000-01 season. Another cameo with 74 was Ondrej Palat started with the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, he’d switch over to 18 in the 2013-14 season.
Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson has been a solid player for a number of seasons. Carlson has been a Norris Trophy nominee and won a Stanley Cup for the Caps. The origin story behind the number is a fairly simple one. He was give 74 out of his first training camp because rookie blueliners had numbers in the 70s. Carlson said he wasn’t “cool enough” to change his number.
T.J. Oshie has appeared as a famous 77, but started off with 77 with the Blues. It was Carlson wearing 74 that made Oshie switch over to 77. The Carlson influence spread to Madison Bowey, who switch to 74 in honour of Carlson when he went to the Detroit Red Wings.
The Future of 74
There are some very good players that have the number right now. Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros has been a Vezina Trophy nominee and been fantastic with the club. Jaccob Slavin has been a vital part of the Carolina Hurricanes defence. Stuart Skinner could be the future in goal for the Edmonton Oilers and was a Calder Trophy nominee. Jake DeBrusk had a bounce back season with the Bruins after a number of trade rumours.
There’s plenty of young talent with 74 at the moment and this could inspire a new generation of 74s. The Carlson effect seems to be a big factor in influencing some good young players.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
