By the Numbers: #14—A Jersey With History
In hockey, a jersey number is never just a number. Some stick with you because of who wore them or the moments you associate with them. Number “14” is one of those. It’s not flashy, but over the years it’s been tied to players who bring skill, grit, and a whole lot of heart—the kind of players you notice without needing a spotlight.
What #14 Means
When you see a player skating around with number “14”, there’s usually a story behind it. This isn’t a number for someone who floats through a game. It’s a worker’s number—for the kind of player who jumps over the boards ready to do whatever the moment calls for. It’s steady, dependable, maybe even a little understated—just like many who’ve made it meaningful.
NHL Legends Who Wore #14
Brendan Shanahan: Shanahan is one of the first names most fans think of. The ultimate power forward—someone who could crush a guy along the boards one shift and bury a big goal the next. He brought an edge, a presence, and a sense that something might happen whenever he was on the ice. Shanahan didn’t just wear number “14”; he made it one you couldn’t miss.
Dave Keon: Long before Shanahan wore jersey number “14”, Dave Keon set the bar quite high. Keon was a cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs; playing the kind of smart, consistent hockey that earns respect across generations. Four Stanley Cups, close to 1,000 NHL points, and a reputation for doing things the right way—when the Maple Leafs retired number “14”, it wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a nod to everything Keon stood for as a Maple Leaf.
Number 14: Other Notable NHL Stars
Shanahan and Keon may get most of the attention, but plenty of other NHL stars have brought their own style to jersey number “14”, including:
• Theo Fleury: 1084 NHL GP; 455 NHL Goals; 1088 NHL points; a key piece of the 1989 Calgary Flames Stanley Cup championship
• Réné Robert: 744 NHL GP; 284 NHL Goals; 702 NHL Points; a key piece of Buffalo’s “French Connection” line
• Jamie Benn: 1197 NHL GP; 400 NHL Goals; 960 NHL Points; today’s reminder that #14 still finds its way onto NHL players who make a real impact on the game
From goal scorers to playmakers to pure battlers, jersey number “14” has fit all kinds of players without ever losing its identity.
Number 14: Why Hockey Fans Notice
Even now, seeing number “14” on a roster makes you think of the kind of player who might not chase headlines but will absolutely make you notice them over three periods. For longtime hockey fans, thinking about jersey number “14” brings back memories of NHL legends. For younger fans, it’s a hint to keep an eye on whoever’s wearing it next.
Related: 3 Problems the Maple Leafs Must Solve to Find Playoff Success