Sweaters 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 96. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 96
The First 96
NHL players hadn’t worn the sweater number 96 before the 1995- 96 season. However, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Russian superstar Pavel Bure wanted to wear the number when he first came to the Vancouver Canucks. “The Russian Rocket” wanted to wear the number to commemorate when he came to North America. Bure arrived on Sept. 6, 1991.
However, Vancouver head coach Pat Quinn didn’t like the idea of high numbers. Bure was given the number 10 by Quinn, which was Bure’s number in the Soviet Union. The Hall of Fame winger got the 10 sweater from Soviet hockey legend Viktor Tikhonov. Bure did get his wish when Red Army teammate Alexander Mogilny came over in 95-96. However, things didn’t go well Bure. The legendary forward only played in 15 games and tore his ACL. He had 23 goals and 55 points in 63 games the following season. Bure switched back to 10 in 1997-98 and he racked up 51 goals in 82 games.
The Best 96
Bure’s Hall of Fame credentials make him a great player. However, his tenure with the number was marred with injuries. Hall of Famer Phil Housley donned the sweater number 96 with the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the number was taken over by Tomas Holmstrom. The Detroit Red Wings forward actually started out with the number 15 when he debuted in the 1996-97 season.
Holmstrom settled on 96 because that was the year he made his way to North America to play for the Detroit Red Wings. This story came from Scott Morrison’s book By the Numbers that looked at the history of jersey numbers. However, Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman to a dig at the Swedish forward. Bowman said Holmstrom should take 98 because that’s the year you’re going back to Europe. The young forward took a few too many penalties in his early days and Bowman’s shot gave him a wakeup call.
The 10th round draft choice would eventually get the message and became a vital part of the Wings run. He would won three Stanley Cups and became one of the most respected Swedish players in the game. Holmstrom ended his career with 243 goals in 1,026. His is a beloved figure in Hockeytown and had a great career.
The Future of 96
The sweater number 96 has been worn by 16 players in the history of the NHL according to Hockey Reference. Bure, Housley and Holmstrom were the first, but the number does have some current players wearing it. Another fun fact is that veteran Pierre-Marc Bouchard has the second-most seasons wearing the number with 593 games in 11 seasons.
Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen already has 220 goals, but has done it in only 490 goals played. Is there a chance that he surpasses Holmstrom for the best to wear 96? He certainly has the scoring touch to challenge for the crown and already has one Stanley Cup to his name.
Talented young players like Timo Meier, Jack Roslovic and Andrei Kuzmenko are also wearing the number at this time. Other younger players wearing the number are Jayden Grubbe and Jake Walman. Quinn may have wanted to prevent high numbers from getting into the lineup, but we’re seeing some quality players wear the number 96.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
