By the Numbers: Max Pacioretty and the Rise of #67
In the National Hockey League, jersey numbers often carry the weight of the legends who wore them first. While rafters across the league may be crowded with the 9s and 19s of the world, number “67” remained a statistical outlier for decades. It was a digit without a face—until a high-scoring winger from Connecticut arrived to change the narrative. Max Pacioretty didn’t just wear number “67”; he championed it, transforming an uncommon jersey number into a symbol of elite production and leadership.
Cool Fact: In March 2015, McDonald's introduced the "Max 67" burger.
Breaking Ground in Montreal
Drafted 22nd overall in 2007 by the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty made history before the puck even dropped by becoming the first player in the history of the Montreal Canadiens to wear number “67”. He quickly silenced skeptics who viewed the high number as unconventional. Over ten seasons, Pacioretty became a major part of the engine that drove the Canadiens' offense, eventually serving as the 29th captain in franchise history and recording five 30-goal campaigns.
Cool Fact: Pacioretty is a member of the "NHL First Shot" club; he scored his first career NHL goal on his very first NHL shot in a 4-1 loss against the New Jersey Devils.
A Journey of Resilience
Pacioretty’s career eventually became a tour of the league's most passionate markets. Whether he was under the bright lights of Vegas, skating for the Carolina Hurricanes, or providing a veteran presence for the Washington Capitals, he carried number “67” to every stop. His final chapter brought him to the Toronto Maple Leafs. There, he defied the odds after grueling injury battles to score the series-clinching goal in the 2025 playoffs against Ottawa. By the time he retired in September 2025, he had earned 335 goals and 681 points over 939 NHL games.
Cool Fact: Max Pacioretty’s highest point total in one season was “67” points, which he reached twice (2014-15; 2016-17).
67: An Unconventional Icon
Certain jersey numbers, such as number “67”, were once viewed as temporary for rookies, for example. However, Max Pacioretty's 17-season career proved that a player defines the number. By wearing number “67” with pride across five storied NHL franchises, Max Pacioretty took number “67” from an uncommon jersey number and placed it firmly into the NHL’s historical narrative.