By the Numbers: How Dominik Hašek Turned #39 Into One of the Most Iconic Jerseys in NHL History
Some jersey numbers carry instant meaning. Say number “99” or “66” and every hockey fan knows exactly where your mind goes. Number “39” isn’t quite as common—but for anyone who watched the NHL in the 1990s, it points to one man and one man only: Dominik Hašek. Hašek didn’t just wear number “39”. He made it unforgettable.
Why #39?
Early in his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Hašek bounced between numbers, like many young players trying to stick in the league. When he arrived in Buffalo in 1992, though, he finally got to choose his own. He landed on number “39”. At the time, it probably didn’t feel historic … but Sabres fans know how that turned out.
The Buffalo Years: When One Player Changed Everything
If you ask Sabres fans what number “39” means, they most likely won’t talk about numerology. They’ll talk about survival. Night after night, Hašek dragged Buffalo into games they had no business winning. Bad bounces didn’t matter. Defensive breakdowns didn’t matter. As long as number “39” was in net, the Sabres had a chance.
During his peak, Hašek won an astonishing six Vezina Trophies and two Hart Trophies (back-to-back in 1997 & 1998), an almost unthinkable accomplishment for a goaltender. Interestingly, “The Dominator’s” style of play didn’t look like other goalies, either. While most relied on structure and angles, Hašek relied on instinct, flexibility, and a refusal to give up on any puck—even when he looked completely out of position.
The Dominator #39: By the Numbers
The stats back it all up. Over 16 NHL seasons, Hašek finished with a .922 career save percentage, one of the best the league has ever seen, along with 81 shutouts. These weren’t inflated numbers from a short run, either. Hašek sustained elite performance year after year in an era when scoring was steadily rising.
39: Winning Cups and Changing Minds
Late in his career, Hašek finally got the team success some critics said he lacked, winning two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings (2002 & 2008). By then, his legacy was already secure. He had proven that European goaltenders could dominate the NHL—and that there was more than one way to stop a puck.
Cool Fact: Hašek discussing his style of play: “They say I am unorthodox, I flop around the ice like some kind of fish. I say, who cares as long as I stop the puck?”
39: A Number That Means Something
When the Sabres retired number “39” in 2015, it felt inevitable. Today, number “39” represents dominance, resilience, and individuality. Not bad for a jersey choice that started as a small personal preference—and ended as one of the most meaningful numbers in NHL history.