Sweaters 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 90. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 90
Early 90s
The sweater number 90 also has a short history like other high numbers that have featured so far. According to Hockey Reference, 29 players have taken number 90. Former New York Islanders great Clark Gillies was the first in the NHL to wear the number 90. However, it was during his last season with the Buffalo Sabres in 1987-88. Gillies actually wore 39 in his first season with the Sabres. However, he’d switch to 90 in his last season.
Joe Juneau would become the second Buffalo player to wear sweater number 90. Juneau actually wore the number for parts of six seasons with the Washington Capitals. He was the most famous player to take 90 at the time of publication of Scott Morrison’s book By the Numbers. The Pont-Rogue, Quebec native wore 28, 38 and 49 during his NHL career. However, he would have sweater number 90 for most of his career.
The Upper 90
Ryan O’Reilly is closing in on 1,000 games played and has 256 career goals. The Clinton, Ontario native started with 37 when with the Colorado Avalanche. However, he switched to 90 in the 2012-13 season. A lot of offensive players wore nine and we’ll eventually get to that. However, “ROR” took a different approach. He said that he went with 90 because it’s 10 times better than nine.
O’Reilly has made stops in Buffalo, St. Louis and Toronto while keeping the number. Hockey Reference does have the veteran centre listed as taking sweater number 90 next season. The number has been good to him with a Stanley Cup, a Lady Byng Trophy and a Conn Smythe Trophy with the Blues.
Other 90s
Hall of Famer Mike Modano wore 90 in his only season with the Detroit Red Wings. No one was allowed to wear the great number nine of legendary player Gordie Howe. Jason Spezza wore the number during his tenure with the Dallas Stars while Marcus Johansson has carried the number his entire 13-year career. Tyler Johnson had the number in Chicago for a couple seasons as did Jared McCann with the Florida Panthers.
Leafs fans may remember Zamboni driver David Ayers had 90 when he helped the Carolina Hurricanes stun Toronto. Pytor Kochetkov wore the number for three games, but switched to 52 last season. Vladislav Namestnikov held the number at a few stops before moving onto seven and 92.
The Future of 90
There are players like Johansson and Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzļikins that are wearing the number right now. Robin Lehner chose 90 for the Vegas Golden Knights, but may not play next season. Joe Veleno also has the number for the Red Wings.
The future of sweater number 90 may be as known as others, but it just takes one player to make it a well-known number. O’Reilly currently holds the mantle for best to wear the number. However, who knows what the future holds
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
