By the Numbers: The #77 Enigma—Two Legends, One Number, and the 1,500-Point Club
In NHL history, jersey numbers often act as shorthand for a player's style. While numbers “99” and “66” represent pure scoring dominance, number “77” symbolizes a tactical revolution: the rise of the elite, puck-moving defenseman. Part of this legacy was forged by two of the greatest defensemen to ever play: Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque.
Before them, the "offensive defenseman" was more of a rarity. Coffey and Bourque helped change the geometry of the rink. They proved that a team's primary playmaker could start the rush from behind his own net. Together, these icons racked up more than 3,000 points and eight Norris Trophies, redefining the "D" in defenseman.
Cool Fact: Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque are the only two defensemen in NHL history to cross over the 1,500-point threshold.
The Shift from #7 to #77
Both legends famously transitioned to the double-sevens from the number “7”.
Paul Coffey won three Stanley Cups in Edmonton wearing number “7”. After being traded to Pittsburgh in 1987, he switched to number “77”—becoming the veteran catalyst who helped Mario Lemieux secure the Penguins' first Stanley Cup championship in 1991.
Ray Bourque’s switch is the stuff of hockey folklore. After multiple seasons as the face of the Boston Bruins in number “7”, Bourque stood on the ice during a 1987 ceremony to retire Phil Esposito’s number. In a move of ultimate class, Bourque stripped off his jersey to reveal number “77” underneath, voluntarily surrendering his number “7” to honour the past. Bourque wore number “77” until his emotional Stanley Cup victory with Colorado in 2001.
77: A Modern Respect
While many have since worn the number “77”, Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque remain its definitive owners. This history is so respected that when defenseman Brett Kulak was traded from Edmonton to Pittsburgh, he refused to simply take the jersey off the rack. Having played under Coffey in Edmonton, Kulak asked the Hockey Hall of Famer for permission to wear number “77” for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As noted by Kulak: “I asked him if it would be OK if I wore his old number.”
As a result of the illustrious careers of both Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque, “77” became more than a number—it became a standard of excellence for the modern era.