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 69. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 69
The Brief NHL History of 69
According to Hockey Reference, only two players have worn sweater number 69. The first player to don the number was Mel Angelstad with the Washington Capitals in the 2003-04 season. Angelstad, who was called “Mad Mel” chose 69 because of the obvious connotations. The Saskatoon native only had two penalty minutes to his name, but he was a memorable character in hockey.
Andrew Desjardins of the San Jose Sharks was next to wear the number for two seasons. He had his best season with San Jose when he got 17 points in the 2011-12 season. Desjardins would shift to 10 and then 11 with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014. He said that Sharks equipment people just handed him the number and he didn’t pick it.
Greg McKegg wore the number in the 2011-12 preseason with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he wouldn’t make his NHL debut until two seasons later. McKegg would have a different number in 39. The blog The Comeback has a great list of players to wear the number.
The Non-NHL 69s
There have been some know players to take the number outside the NHL. Nicklas Backstrom wore the number in the KHL with Dynamo Moscow during the 2012-13 NHL lockout. The Swede originally got 99. However, he switched to sweater number 69. Alexander Burmistrov also wore the number in the KHL with Ak-Bars Kazan. Florian Kettemer of the German Hockey League and sled hockey champion Pierce Grandchamp have also taken the number.
Alex Ovechkin has used the number to make sure no one takes his equipment bag. Ovechkin said that someone stole his back, so equipment people put the number 69 the handle to deter thieves.
Is Sweater Number 69 Banned?
Desjardins is the last NHLer to wear the number of a decade ago. This leads to the question of the number being banned. No one in NBA history has worn the number. There were rumours that Dennis Rodman wanted to take the number, but then-Commissioner David Stern vetoed it.
This leads us back to the Ovechkin story. Angelstad said that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that no one could wear the number from what he understood. Numerous internet searches have yet to find a formal ban. However, there seems to be an informal one on the number.
Sweater Number 69 Lives On
The NHL may not have anyone wearing the number, but the number is loved in the sport. This is due to a pair of fictional hockey players. Let’s start with Doug Glatt of the movie Goon. The character was based on minor-league enforcer Doug Smith, who wrote a book on his hockey career. Glatt would be the fearsome enforcer for the Halifax Highlanders.
The other 69 is a man named Shore from the TV shows Letterkenny and Shoresy. Mr. Shore started off with the Letterkenny Shamrocks before moving onto the Kerry County Eagles. After having their title stripped, Shore moved onto the Sudbury Bulldogs of the NOSHO League and tried to whip the team into shape. Shoresy would done the see for the newly-minted Blueberry Bulldogs. They did get wins over Timmins, North Bay and the Soo (who are so f’ing good.) However, the Soo would get revenge before the playoffs.
We hope you enjoyed this fun look at the number. However, if you want a good laugh, you should watch Mr. Bean. We continue our sweater countdown tomorrow with a great one.
Main photo by: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
