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 48. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.<\/p>\n
According to Hockey Reference, 118 players have donned sweater number 48 since the records back to the 1950-51 season. Hockey Reference lists Bill Root<\/a> as the first player to take the number. Root wore 48 with the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> in his final season with the team. This happened in the 1987-88 season where he scored one goal in 24 games.<\/p>\n Four players would be the next to sweater number 48 in the 1989-90 season. J.J. Daigneault<\/a> of the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> would have a long stint with the Habs and keep the number until 1996. Daigneault would end up getting dealt to the St. Louis Blues, but would switch to 36.<\/p>\n Like any other number, there were some players that would wear the number for a short stint. Marc Methot<\/a> had the number for a season with the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>. Colin Miller<\/a> had 48 for Boston Bruins<\/a> in his first season. However, he would switch to six in his second year with the club.\u00a0Jozef St\u00fcmpel<\/a> also had the number for a brief spell with the Bruins.<\/p>\n Many of these younger players get the higher numbers in the first couple of seasons until they establish themselves. Most switch numbers, but others just keep them and make a career out of that number.<\/p>\n One of the more well-known players that wore sweater number 48 is Tomas Hertl<\/a>. The San Jose Sharks<\/a> forward broke into the league in 2013-14 season. Hertl made his prescence known right away with the a between-the-leg goal against the New York Rangers in his rookie season.<\/p>\nCameos<\/h3>\n
The Ninja Hertl<\/h3>\n