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.<\/p>\n
According to Hockey Reference, there have been 72 players that have worn sweater number 54. Hockey Reference lists Jim Vesey<\/a> as the first player to don the digits in the NHL. He only wore the number for four games with the Boston Bruins <\/a>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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ed Ward<\/a> would be the next to try on the number in the 1993-94 season with the Quebec Nordiques.<\/a> He would only play seven games that campaign before moving onto the Calgary Flames<\/a>. Sean Pronger<\/a> would be next to wear the number 54 in the 1995-96 season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/a> took the number for his rookie season in the 1997-98 campaign with the Phoenix Coyotes<\/a>. Brandon Dubinsky<\/a> also had the number in his rookie year with the New York Rangers<\/a> in 2006-07. Cam Fowler<\/a> was also a rookie that wore 54 with the Ducks in 2010-11 before changing up to four.<\/p>\n Famous 84 wearer<\/a> Mikhail Grabovski<\/a> had the number for a spell with the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. Bobby Ryan<\/a> also took 54 with the Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> over a decade apart. Brett Pesce<\/a> made his Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Players like Adam McQuaid<\/a> wore the number for 512 games with three different clubs. Paul Ranger<\/a> first wore the number with the Tampa Bay Lighting<\/a> and David Jones<\/a> had the number for a while in his career.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> because he had Steve Begin<\/a> had 27 and 27 times two is 54.<\/p>\nFamous Cameos<\/h3>\n
Long-term 54s<\/h3>\n
The Future of 54<\/h3>\n