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 75. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 75
The First 75s
According to Hockey Reference, there are 29 players that have worn sweater number 75. However, the first player that wore that number was Leroy Goldsworthy with the Montreal Canadiens. He’d wear the number in the 1930s, which is way further than the next player to take the jersey. Walt Poddubny was the next player to don the number when he had it the Quebec Nordiques in the 1988-89 season.
Michal Grosek was the next player to wear the number with the original Winnipeg Jets in the 1994-95 season. These higher numbers don’t usually have a lot of players wearing them unless someone jumps off the page. Brett Lindros also wore the number with the New York Islanders for a pair of seasons in the 1990s.
The Top 75s
Hal Gill had the number for a season when he joined the Boston Bruins. However, he’d revisit the number in 2009-10 when he’d join the Canadiens. Gill would take the number for the rest of his NHL career with stops with the Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers.
The Concord, Mass. native had two and 25 when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins. However, but kept 75 due to his birth year. Gill would play in 1,108 games and would win a Stanley Cup with the Penguins.
Ryan Reaves is the player that’s worn the second-most games in sweater number 75. The enforcer has kept the number for his entire career. Reaves may not score goals, but he’s been known to drop the gloves and take care of business. He’ll be the first player in Leafs history to don the number.
The Future of 75
Evan Bouchard has a lot of promise in wearing sweater number 75 for the Edmonton Oilers. Bouchard is still looking to be a future piece of the franchise on the blueline. Connor Clifton will continue to wear the number with the Buffalo Sabres like he did with Boston. Alec Regula has also worn the number for the last few seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Much like other high numbers on the list, there isn’t a ton of history or standout players. However, someone could take the number and make it their own. Bouchard could should the way and be the future of that number. However, one never knows who comes through the ranks.
Main photo by: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
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