The legendary Frank Patrick introduced a numbering system in 1911-12 in the PCHA, where players were numbered from the goal out: Goal #1, Point #2, Coverpoint #3, Rover #4, Left Wing #5, Center #6, and Right Wing #7 (this was, of course, in the days of seven-man hockey).
Back in the day, an NHL roster consisted of 29 players. The starting goalie would always have number 1 and when the team signed a backup goalie he would get number 30. As the years have gone on the number 1 has been used less frequently and many goalies have picked random numbers (ex.
It's believed that goalies were given the No. 1 because they were the first player on a rink when looking from the net outward. When a goalie was injured, for instance, the replacement goalie would also wear No. 1.
Higher numbers were for players further down the depth chart, with one of the highest numbers (often 20, 29 or 30) for the backup goaltender. On many teams, a lower number implied status, as this would allow for better hotel or sleeping car accommodations when traveling.
Martin Biron and Neil Sheehy also wore versions of zero. 1. Terry Sawchuk (1950-64). Many Hall of Fame goalies wore this number, including Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Bernie Parent.
Occassionally back in the day, players other than the goaltender would wear #1 - when George Hainsworth set the NHL record for single-season shutouts, he wore #10, and his defenseman Herb Gardiner wore #1. At this time, some goaltenders took the highest number on the team because they were the last line of defense.
The rules of the IIHF, NHL and Hockey Canada do not permit goaltenders to be designated as on-ice captains, due to the logistical challenge of having the goaltender relay rules discussions between referees and coaches and then return to the crease.
The +1 sizing system is standard for leg pads, meaning that “+1” is an extra inch added to the top of the leg pad. This addition helps goalies with their butterfly position as well as with their five-hole coverage. Some goal pads come with a +2” sizing system, which is more common with high level, experienced goalies.
Fun fact: Desjardins and forward Melvin Angelstad (two games with the Washington Capitals in 2003-04) are the only players in NHL history to wear No. 69.
Goalies. For instance, the most common number that's been reserved for goalies is number 1. This is just as common in soccer as it is in hockey. Goalies also typically wear the highest numbers on the team—usually 29, 30, 31, or 35.
Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 is retired throughout the NHL not only because he is considered the greatest player in League history, but because the number and his name are synonymous. Though there is no debate over who the best player to wear that number is, there are 98 other numbers with more than one worthy candidate.
Currently, goaltenders are not allowed to be the captain of their National Hockey League club. In the past, there have been six netminders to hold this official distinction: John Ross Roach, Toronto St. Patricks, 1924-25.
The number 00 has only been worn twice in NHL history. Martin Biron wore 00 for the 1996 season with the Buffalo Sabres, but only appeared in three games and had an 0-2 record. The only other time the number appeared on an NHL surface was by goaltender John Davidson in his 1977-78 campaign with the New York Rangers.
The NHL formerly allowed players to wear both No. 0 and 00, but nobody has worn either since Marty Biron suited up for the Buffalo Sabres in 1995–96 with the double-zero on his back. The league subsequently outlawed the practice the following season. But if players in other leagues can wear 0, why can't NHL stars?
No. 0. What's even rarer than the double-zero is the single zero in the NHL. Only one man has worn this number, and most likely you've never heard of him.
The more a goalie plays, the greater the chance there is he gets injured. That's what will keep the 82-game record out of reach from durability demons like Schneider and Holtby.
0 or 00 (both of which have been used in the past but play havoc with the NHL's player stats database) Any number higher than 99 (because three-digit numbers are considered hard to read, Decimals (e.g. 9.5) or fractions (e.g. 4 1/2).
Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the NHL decreed that Nos. 0 and 00 could no longer be worn since they confused the League's digital database; today, only No. 1 through No. 98 are allowed, No.
The NBA does not allow the number 69 to be worn by players as it carries a sexual connotation and could offend some fans. Despite Dennis Rodman seeking permission to use it when he joined the Mavericks in 1997, the league declined and he had to settle for wearing #70 instead.
Please note, +1 and +2 sizing in goalie pads means an extra inch or two has been added to the top of the pad (the thigh rise) to increase 5-hole coverage in the butterfly position and does not impact the sizing below.
The first-choice goalkeeper is usually assigned the number 1 shirt as they are the first player in a line-up. The second-choice goalkeeper wears, on many occasions, shirt number 12 which is the first shirt of the second line up, or number 13.
What does the +1 mean on goalie pads? +1 (or “+” followed by a number) is the thigh rise of a pad, measured in inches. Thigh rise is built-in additional height at the top of the goalie pad. In short, it allows a goalie to wear a taller pad while still having the pad fit correctly at the knee and boot.
27.8 Restricted Area – A goalkeeper shall not play the puck outside of the designated area behind the net. This area shall be defined by lines that begin six feet (6') from either goal post and extend diagonally to points twenty-eight feet (28') apart at the end boards.
NHL Rule 14D states that “[n]o playing Coach or playing Manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as Captain or Alternate Captain.” The Canucks have thought of a solution though. Willie Mitchell will handle all of the captain's duties on ice—things like those little chats with the referee.