By the Numbers: Denis Savard, #18, and the Magic Behind a Hockey Original
If you followed hockey in the ‘80s or ‘90s, you didn’t just watch Denis Savard—you watched him with pure amazement. The moment he hopped over the boards wearing that familiar jersey number “18”, you knew something fun was about to happen.
Early Days and a Fast Start
Savard grew up in Montreal, Quebec, dreaming the same dream as countless kids on frozen ponds. But when the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him 3rd overall in 1980, he didn’t just break into the NHL—he burst in. During his rookie season (1980-81), he produced 75 points, and then he followed up with 119 points and 121 points over the next two seasons; clearly, a sign of things to come. Even then, hockey fans—everywhere—could see the gears turning in his game: quick hands, quicker feet, and a creativity that felt a little ahead of its time.
Carving Out a Hall-of-Fame Career
Throughout his illustrious NHL career with the Blackhawks (along with stops in Montreal and Tampa Bay), Savard built the kind of résumé that earns permanent respect in any rink. He played 1,196 games and put up 1,338 points—numbers that still jump off the page. Five seasons above 100 points? Seven straight 30-goal years? Those are marks that speak for themselves. His most productive season—offensively, a 131-point explosion in 1987–88, was peak Savard: electric, fearless, often two steps ahead of the players chasing him.
What #18 Meant—and Still Means
For most fans, Savard and jersey number “18” are practically the same name. It’s the number Chicago fans saw flying into the offensive zone, spinning away from danger with that now-legendary “spin-o-rama”. If you ever tried that move in your driveway or at a local rink, you weren’t alone—every young player did. His style made the game feel bigger, more imaginative, a little more fun.
Sure, he wore another number during a stop in Tampa Bay, but #18 is the one etched into memory. It’s what Chicago retired in 1998, a year after he played his last NHL game. Two years later, Savard took his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, a well-earned honour for someone who brought so much spark to the sport.
Why Fans Still Talk About Denis Savard, #18
The stats tell you Savard was great; the stories remind you why. He played with flair without ever seeming flashy for the sake of it. He made unpredictable moves feel natural and made tough plays look almost easy. And whenever #18 touched the puck, there was that unmistakable buzz—something might happen.
That’s why Denis Savard’s legacy sticks. It’s not just what he accomplished; it’s how he made so many people feel about hockey. And that, really, is the number that matters most.