By The Numbers: 59—The Night of the "Professor," the Birth of the Goalie Mask, and the Rise of Modern Stars
In the numerical tapestry of the NHL, number “59” is a rare thread. It isn’t a "glamour number" worn by hundreds of players; instead, it is a number defined by statistical defiance. When you see number “59” in hockey, you are looking at the impossible becoming reality—whether it is a goalie facing a ton of shots, a legend protecting his face for the first time, or modern stars rewriting the record books.
1. The Impossible Wall: Ben Scrivens’ 59-Save Masterpiece
On January 29, 2014, the hockey world witnessed a performance that defied every analytical model. Ben Scrivens, nicknamed "The Professor", was in the crease for an Edmonton Oilers team facing a juggernaut San Jose Sharks offense.
The Statistical Anomalies: The Sharks fired a staggering 59 shots on goal.
The Record: Scrivens turned aside every single one, setting the NHL record for the most saves in a regular-season shutout.
2. 1959: When the "Face" of the Game Changed Forever
If you look at the calendar, 1959 is arguably the most pivotal year for player safety in history. On November 1, 1959, Montreal Canadiens icon Jacques Plante took a shot from Andy Bathgate directly to the face, which broke his nose.
After being stitched up in the dressing room, Plante returned to the ice wearing a homemade goalie mask, a move initially mocked by his coach, Toe Blake. However, the results were undeniable. Plante helped lead the Canadiens on an 18-game unbeaten streak, while wearing the face protection. By the end of the 1959-60 season, Montreal had won their fifth consecutive Stanley Cup, and the modern era of face protection for netminders was born.
NHL Memories: Plante Becomes First Goalie To Wear a Mask
3. The Modern Icons: Josi and Guentzel
The number “59” isn't just a historical relic; it's been worn by some of the most elite players in the world, bringing prestige to a once-obscure jersey number:
Roman Josi: In 2020, the captain of the Nashville Predators became the first Predator to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
Jake Guentzel: In 2017, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Guentzel tied the NHL record for points by a rookie in a single postseason (21) and scored 13 goals during the 2017 Stanley Cup run.
Celebrating 59: More Than a Number
Whether it’s the 59 saves of a goalie standing on his head, the 1959 shift that changed how goalie masks were seen, or the skill of modern stars, number “59” keeps showing up in unexpected ways. It tends to belong to outliers—the players and moments that don’t quite fit the mold and make you stop and take a second look.
This article looks at number “59” from a few different angles—stats, history, and personal stories—focusing on what’s unusual, memorable, and, at times, hard to believe.