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 34 Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 34
The First 34s
According to Hockey Reference, 211 players have worn sweater number 34 since since jersey records were kept in the 1950-51 season. Hockey Reference lists Tony Poeta of the Chicago Black Hawks as the first player to wear the number. This was way back in the 1951-52 season for one single game. It would be the only game he’d play in his NHL career, which puts him with players like Don Cherry among others.
It would be nearly 20 years until we saw another player wear the number 34 in the NHL. That man would be Don McLeod with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1971-72 season. He’d play the final four games of his NHL career in that number. However, his hockey career didn’t end as he played in the World Hockey Association. The Trail, British Columbia native would suit up for the Vancouver Blazers, Calgary Cowboys, Quebec Nordiques and Edmonton Oilers.
Cameos
There are always a number of players that wore sweater number 34 that would go onto have decent to good careers. However, these were with other numbers. Donald Audette was 34 for his first number with the Los Angeles Kings. Future NHL head coach Craig Berube started off his career in sweater number 34. This would also be true with Bruce Cassidy with Chicago as well as Claude Julien and Ted Nolan. Forwards Shayne Corson and Geoff Courtnall both played over 1,000 games and started off life as 34.Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek was 34 before finding success with another number.
Kirk McLean also started off in sweater number 34 before finding success with number one. Hall of Famer Václav Nedomanský finished his career with the New York Rangers in 34. Another Hall of Famer in Adam Oates also had the number with the Detroit Red Wings. Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas was 34 with the Florida Panthers. Scott Young was 34 for a brief time in his career before finding his way with number 48.
Stone Cold Auston Matthews
The player most likely to become the best player to wear 34 is Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A few websites have John Vanbiesbrouck as the best 34, but Matthews is coming up. The San Ramon, California native started his career off on fire with a four-goal debut against the Ottawa Senators. That rookie season would lead Matthews to the Calder Trophy and plenty of success. Matthews has never scored less than 34 goals in his career and won two Maurice Richard Trophies.
He also has a Hart Trophy to his name after an 2021-22 with a 60-goal season. Matthews took the number because his father wore it while playing baseball and basketball. The American scorer is hoping to take the Leafs to the next level sooner rather than later.
Other Great 34s
The number 34 is usually synonymous with goalies as Vanbiesbrouck won the Vezina Trophy in 1985-86. Mikka Kiprusoff was a stalwart with the Calgary Flames and will have his number retired with the club. Jamie Macoun also had a great stint with the number as he was a great defenceman with the Flames and Maple Leafs.
Sweater number 34 will carry meaning to Toronto and fans in the American Southwest. Matthews is a popular figure in hockey and there are plenty of kids will don his sweater.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
