By the Numbers: The Enduring Legacy of #21 in Hockey

21: A Number With Some Weight to It

Hockey fans may argue about almost everything, but most can point to a few jersey numbers that mean a little more. They show up throughout the sport’s history, worn by players who made the game better simply by being in it. Number “21” is one of those numbers. You see it on a hockey jersey and immediately think of players who left an impression.

Stan Mikita: The Gold Standard

If you’ve followed the Chicago Blackhawks—or even just been around hockey long enough—you already know why number “21” has such staying power. Stan Mikita wasn’t just talented; he changed how a forward could play. Early on he played with an edge, later he leaned into a cleaner and more controlled style; Makita went on to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy—twice. Bring up franchise legends, and Mikita’s name appears right away. His impact helped make number “21” part of Chicago’s identity and gave the number a reputation that carried through the National Hockey League.

Hockey Hall of Fame (Stan Mikita)

Salming and Forsberg: Two Legends, Two Paths

What gives number “21” its unique legacy is how it kept landing on players who were totally different but equally memorable. Take Börje Salming. Toronto Maple Leafs fans don’t just remember him—they honour him. He brought a smooth, confident style to Toronto’s blue line and opened doors for European players who saw him succeed and realized the NHL truly was for them.

Hockey Hall of Fame (Börje Salming)

Then there’s Peter Forsberg, who gave number “21” a whole different energy. He had that rare mix of finesse and force, the kind of player who could make a significant difference in a game with one shift. Fans still talk about how he shrugged off hits or threaded passes through traffic like it was nothing. When Forsberg wore number “21”, it felt built for big, championship moments.

Hockey Hall of Fame (Peter Forsberg)

Why Number 21 Still Resonates

Ask a group of hockey fans why number “21” matters, and you’ll hear the same answer: it’s the NHL star players who made it special. There wasn’t one defining moment—just a steady buildup of memorable careers with their own styles. Each added something, and those traits stuck. So when a young player chooses number “21” today, it feels like stepping into a number with some highly significant history behind it—not pressure, just meaning.

21: A Number That Keeps Showing Up

For most hockey fans, number “21” stands out because it reminds us of players who shaped the sport in ways we still talk about. If you watched Mikita, Salming, or Forsberg, you probably have a highlight or two that comes to mind instantly. And as long as players keep choosing number “21”—and fans keep remembering the ones who wore it best—it’ll stay one of those numbers that feels tied to hockey’s past, present, and whatever comes next.