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 26. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 26
The First 26s
According to Hockey Reference, 447 players have worn sweater number 26 since since jersey records were kept in the 1950-51 season. However, it does not list any players before then that may have taken the number. Hockey Reference lists Willy Maxwell of the Toronto Maple Leafs as the first player to wear 26. Maxwell did so in the 1952-53 season with the Leafs. A couple of decorated players for Toronto would have the number next, but we’ll take about them in the cameo section.
Gerry Brisson would be one of the first non-Toronto players to hold the number. Brisson donned the digits in the 1962-63 season for the Montreal Canadiens. However, he wouldn’t be the most famous player to take the sweater in that season. Brisson had the game for four games that season while another Hall of Fame Canadiens player would get it for six that campaign.
Cameos
There are always a number of players that wore sweater number 26 that would go onto have decent to good careers. However, these were with other numbers. Four-time Cup winner Bob Baun and Hall of Famer Frank Mahovolich each were early wearers on the number. Montreal Hall of Famer Jacques Laperrière also wore sweater number 26 for six games in 1962-63. Troy Brouwer had the number for a season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Keith Carney started his career with 26 for the Buffalo Sabres.
Bill Goldsworthy had the number with the Boston Bruins as did the recently retired Carl Hagelin. Darius Kasparaitis had the number first with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but would get his trademark 11 back. Thomas Steen started his career with the original Winnipeg Jets as 26. Jarret Stoll wore the number with the New York Rangers. Valeri Zelepukin and Dmitry Yushkevich also carried sweater number 26.
Peter Šťastný
The choice for best to wear sweater number 26 was a hard one. Players like Patrik Elias, Martin St. Louis and Allan Stanley have made their mark upon the game. However, Stastny was a trailblazer for the modern European player. Stastny defected from the Czechoslovakia along with his brother, Anton Stastny, to join the Quebec Nordiques. The impact was almost instant as he scored 39 goals and bagged the Calder Trophy in 1980-81. Marian Stastny, the duo’s brother, would then join and make plays for Quebec.
Stastny’s 1,239 points came with the Nordiques and the New Jersey Devils, who ironically retired Elias’ number in 2018. St. Louis and Elias were both accomplished in their own rights. However, Stastny kicked down the door for other Europeans. Plus, his two sons Yan Stastny and Paul Stastny also had NHL careers.
Others 26s and the Future
We already mention Elias and St. Louis a bit earlier, but there are other great players that had the number. Erik Cole wore the number with a pair of clubs. Patrick Flatley had the number with both New York hockey clubs. Michal Handzuš wore the number for most of his career. Enforcer Joe Kocur had the number for a bunch of seasons. Jere Lehtinen wore the number for nearly 900 games with the Dallas Stars. “The Rat” Ken Linseman started his career as 26. Shoe enthusiast Mike Milbury carried the number, too. Mats Naslund had the number with the Canadiens and won the 1987 Lady Byng Trophy. Steve Sullivan and Thomas Vanek also had 26. Blake Wheeler was 26 for many seasons with the new Winnipeg Jets.
The future looks good with Rasmus Dahlin wearing the number for the Buffalo Sabres. Oliver Wahlstrom is also trying to make his way in the number 26.
Main photo by: B Bennett/Getty Images
