By the Numbers: #32—A Goalie Jersey That Came to

Some jersey numbers just settle into a franchise. They don’t arrive with fanfare—they earn their place over time. For the Los Angeles Kings, number “32” is one of those numbers, especially in net. Before Stanley Cup championships and before the Kings turned into a yearly contender, there was Kelly Hrudey, who arrived in L.A. during the 1988-89 season (the same season as Wayne Gretzky).

32: Where It Started

Hrudey’s years in Los Angeles weren’t easy ones for a goalie. The Gretzky-era Kings played in a high-scoring era, and defense wasn’t always their calling card. That meant a lot of shots, a lot of traffic, and a lot of nights where the goalie had to hang in there no matter how things unfolded.

That was Hrudey. Wearing number “32” (due to #30 being retired: Rogie Vachon), he showed up, played hard, and didn’t make excuses. He wasn’t flashy for the sake of it, but he competed every game. Teammates trusted him. Fans respected him. Over time, number “32” started to feel familiar in L.A.’s crease—a number fans associated with effort and reliability.

Ultimately, Hrudey didn’t turn number “32” into a highlight reel. He turned it into a workhorse number, and that’s often harder to do.

Cool Fact: Kelly Hrudey was a primary reason the Los Angeles Kings earned a spot in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals.

32: Same Number, Bigger Stage

Years later, when Jonathan Quick pulled on a Kings jersey with #32 on the back, he stepped into a number that already meant something. Quick brought a different look to the position—quicker feet, explosive pushes, alongside a fearless edge—but the competitive heartbeat felt the same. This time, though, the Kings were truly ready to win.

With Quick in net, number “32” was there for the biggest moments in franchise history. Long playoff runs. Pressure-packed games. And ultimately, two Stanley Cup championships. What Hrudey helped establish, Quick turned into a championship standard.

Cool Fact: Jonathan Quick was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2012.

32: Still Worn, Forever Kings

Jonathan Quick is no longer in Los Angeles, but the number hasn’t lost its meaning. He still wears number “32” today with the New York Rangers, a quiet reminder of where that jersey earned its reputation. In L.A., though, the story is firmly grounded; number “32” belongs to the crease.

To Hrudey’s steady resolve. To Quick’s championship runs. To two goalies who wore the same number in very different eras—and made it count. For Los Angeles Kings fans, that’s more than just a jersey. That’s history.