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Maple Leaf changes jersey number ahead of the 2023-24 season for very special reason

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Mike Armenti
September 29, 2023 (2:59 PM)

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A player's jersey number often reflects something of great significance to them. Sometimes it's as simple as a birthday. Other times, the meaning is a lot deeper. In the case of Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen, he had originally worn the number 22 as a means of building his own legacy, apart from a family legacy. However, he has officially decided to change his number to honour that legacy and the reason is truly touching.

Hirvonen had lost his father this summer. For those who may be unaware, Timo Hirvonen was a 16-season veteran in Finland and Sweden and was his son's inspiration to play the game. Now, having lost his father in a very sad and unexpected way, Roni Hirvonen is changing to the number his father wore throughout his career - #33.

Hirvonen's father had been diagnosed with brain cancer and opted for a surgical procedure that may have helped him in his battle against the deadly disease. Unfortunately, instead of having the opportunity to fight, Timo never awoke from the surgery, officially passing on back on the 28th of July.

We've already seen Hirvonen suit up in his new #33 jersey during camp. He wore it most recently during the team's last pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. His previous number with the Leafs was #20, but when the team reached out this summer to ask him which number he'd prefer to wear in the Traverse City prospects tournament and for Leafs training camp, #33 was the only option in his mind.

"I know he is watching me from somewhere," Hirvonen told The Athletic this week, choking back tears. "I can still talk to him. And I almost always know what he would be saying."

Hirvonen's #33 was last worn by defenseman Alex Biega in 2022 and goaltender David Rittich just one year prior, in 2021. The number is probably most recognizable in Toronto as the number that Al Iafrate (1985-1991) and Doug Favell (1974-1976) had worn during their time as Maple Leafs.

For the full story on Hirvonen's motivation for changing his number, you should check out this excellent article from The Athletic's Joshua Kloke:

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POLL
SEPTEMBRE 29 \| 173 ANSWERS Maple Leaf changes jersey number ahead of the 2023-24 season for very special reason Will Roni Hirvonen be called up to make his NHL debut with the Leafs at some point this season?
Definitely, he's ready	49	28.3 %
No, there's just no reason to rush him	46	26.6 %
Probably, but he wouldn't be first in line	49	28.3 %
Maybe - I'm not too familiar with him yet	29	16.8 %
List of polls

Maple Leaf changes jersey number ahead of the 2023-24 season for very special reason

Will Roni Hirvonen be called up to make his NHL debut with the Leafs at some point this season?