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 54. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 54
The First 54s
According to Hockey Reference, there have been 72 players that have worn sweater number 54. Hockey Reference lists Jim Vesey as the first player to don the digits in the NHL. He only wore the number for four games with the Boston Bruins at the end of his NHL career in the 1991-92 season. Vesey’s career may have been a short one, but he’s the father of current NHLer Jimmy Vesey.
Ed Ward would be the next to try on the number in the 1993-94 season with the Quebec Nordiques. He would only play seven games that campaign before moving onto the Calgary Flames. Sean Pronger would be next to wear the number 54 in the 1995-96 season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Famous Cameos
Sweater number 54 doesn’t have a lot of famous players to take the number for a long period of time. However, some good players have taken the number for parts of a season. Daniel Briere took the number for his rookie season in the 1997-98 campaign with the Phoenix Coyotes. Brandon Dubinsky also had the number in his rookie year with the New York Rangers in 2006-07. Cam Fowler was also a rookie that wore 54 with the Ducks in 2010-11 before changing up to four.
Famous 84 wearer Mikhail Grabovski had the number for a spell with the Montreal Canadiens. Bobby Ryan also took 54 with the Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings over a decade apart. Brett Pesce made his Carolina Hurricanes debut with the that number. Sweater number 54 hasn’t had any long-term wearers, but some good players have gotten it for a spell.
Long-term 54s
Players like Adam McQuaid wore the number for 512 games with three different clubs. Paul Ranger first wore the number with the Tampa Bay Lighting and David Jones had the number for a while in his career.
McQuaid is likely the most known player to wear the number. He’s won a Stanley Cup, but only managed 16 career goals. However, he was a good role player for a number of seasons. He chose 54 because he had Steve Begin had 27 and 27 times two is 54.
The Future of 54
There are some promising players that are wearing the number. Jordan Harris carved out a good season with the Canadiens last year.
Someone could make a move and become a good player in sweater number 54 with just a few good seasons. It’s one of the numbers that has a wide-open future.
Main photo by: Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images
