Leafs players reveal why they wear the numbers they wear
An NHLer's number is significant. It sets them apart from their teammates, who are all skating in the same jersey. For some players, there's a story behind the number they wear. For others, it comes down to convenience.
The Athletic's Joshua Kloke caught up with the Leafs to ask the Buds why they each wear the number they do. The last time the entire team was asked this question was in 2017. Only Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly remain from that roster, and Nylander has since changed his number from 29 to 88.
Here are some of the reasons the guys gave:
"Mostly because of Marty Brodeur. Growing up, he was a guy I had posters on my wall of. It's a common goalie number and it's one teams always kept reserved for goalies. I've never met him in person. He's up there as one of the best goalies of all time. He's a legend.
If you could ask Brodeur one question about goaltending, what would it be?
I'd be more interested in learning about Brodeur the man instead of the goalie. If we could talk, I'd like to talk to him about his life, his experiences, instead of hockey."
-Matt Murray on his #30
If you could ask Brodeur one question about goaltending, what would it be?
I'd be more interested in learning about Brodeur the man instead of the goalie. If we could talk, I'd like to talk to him about his life, his experiences, instead of hockey."
-Matt Murray on his #30
"I've been wearing it my whole life. My dad wore it when he played baseball and basketball."
- Auston Matthews on his #34
- Auston Matthews on his #34
"I liked Patrick Kane growing up. And my brother actually wore 88 when he was really little.
'It's an homage?'
Yea but to my brother."
- William Nylander on his #88
'It's an homage?'
Yea but to my brother."
- William Nylander on his #88
"There's a little story behind it. I just flipped the numbers around and had a really good season. It stuck. I had always worn 19. Growing up, you watch Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, a lot of great players wore 9 or 19. So that stuck with me.
When I was playing minor hockey and I went from the Senators to the Marlboros and Cody Goloubef was wearing 19. He ended up becoming the best man at my wedding. But he didn't offer it up. So once I got to know him, I wasn't surprised by that. There weren't too many players wearing 91 at the time, obviously (Sergei Fedorov) was.
'You started a trend.'
Yea, Stammer (Steven Stamkos) wears it now too."
- John Tavares on his #91
When I was playing minor hockey and I went from the Senators to the Marlboros and Cody Goloubef was wearing 19. He ended up becoming the best man at my wedding. But he didn't offer it up. So once I got to know him, I wasn't surprised by that. There weren't too many players wearing 91 at the time, obviously (Sergei Fedorov) was.
'You started a trend.'
Yea, Stammer (Steven Stamkos) wears it now too."
- John Tavares on his #91
You can read all of Kloke's article here:
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25 | 220 ANSWERS Leafs players reveal why they wear the numbers they wear How do you feel about teams retiring jersey numbers? | ||
| I don't mind it | 45 | 20.5 % |
| I like it | 61 | 27.7 % |
| I hate it | 14 | 6.4 % |
| Only a select few numbers should be retired | 100 | 45.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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