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 6. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 6
Early 6s
According to Hockey Reference, 428 players have worn sweater number 6 since since jersey records were kept in the 1950-51 season. However, it does not list very many players before then that may have taken the number. Four of the Original Six had players wearing the number with Vic Lynn of the Boston Bruins getting the most goals with 14. Montreal Canadiens player Floyd Curry had 13 goals that campaign during that season. The Toronto Maple Leafs had retired the number of Ace Bailey in 1934. However, there was a never formal recognition ceremony. Larry Aurie‘s number six with the Detroit Red Wings was retired by owner Jack Adams. However, Mike Illitch did not recognize the decision.
Sweater number 6 has been a number worn by defencemen and forwards alike. However, we’re starting to get into numbers worn by blueliners. There have been plenty of great players that have donned the digits and we’ll look at the players that have worn it for a short and long time.
Cameos
There are always a number of players that wore sweater number 6 that would go onto have decent to good careers. However, these were with other numbers. Buffalo Sabres blueliner Keith Carney wore the number six for a brief spell. Ted Donato and his son, Ryan Donato, have each taken the number in their respective careers. Dave Ellett wore the number for a season with the St Louis Blues.
Hall of Famer Howie Morenz was six before he moved onto seven with the Canadiens. Rob Ramage carried the number for a pair of seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Hall of Famer Allan Stanley ended his career with the Philadelphia Flyers in sweater number 6. Gary Suter wore six with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Wowie Housley
There were a number of defencemen that were battling for the honour of the best to wear sweater number 6. However, Phil Housley edged out Bailey and Shea Weber for the best to don the numeral. Housley was drafted sixth overall in the 1982 NHL Draft. The St Paul, Minnesota native became an immediate hit with the Sabres and finished second in the Calder Trophy voting.
Housley didn’t win a Norris Trophy in his time in the league. However, that was likely due to the glut of talented blueliners like Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey and others. Despite this, Housley carved out a great career with the number. He played in 21 seasons and totaled 1,232 points for eight different franchises. Housley was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Other 6s and the Future
Canadiens coach Toe Blake also had a great career as a player with the number six. Calle Johansson played in over 1,100 games in the league. Hall of Famer Jack Laviolette was one of the early wearers of the number six. Sami Salo was also a solid defender in the number six.
There are plenty of good number sixes in the league. Brock Boeser, Jakob Chychrun, Jamie Drysdale, Adam Larsson and others currently wear the number. Stay tuned for the next edition of our sweater countdown, as we close down to the start of our season.
Main photo by: Donald Miralle /Allsport
