By the Numbers: The Legacy of #25 in the NHL
Some jersey numbers just feel like hockey, and jersey number “25” is one of them. It’s never been the flashiest number on the ice, but for decades it’s been worn by players who show up, battle hard, and make a difference when it matters. And if you had to pick one player who truly gave that number its identity, it’s Joe Nieuwendyk.
A Natural Goal-Scorer Who Made #25 Mean Something
When Nieuwendyk first stepped into the NHL with Calgary, he didn’t need years to find his footing. He was a scoring machine right out of the gate—one of those rare rookies who made fans sit up a little straighter every time he touched the puck. Wearing number “25”, he blended size, timing, and that quiet knack for being in the right spot at the right moment.
What made him special wasn’t just the numbers he put up, but how steady he stayed over such a long career. Season after season, team after team, he brought the same mix of skill and competitiveness. Jersey number “25” became shorthand for a player who could be counted on—the kind teammates love because they know he’ll deliver.
Cool Fact: Joe Nieuwendyk was once considered to be the best lacrosse player in Canada; a sport for which he won the Minto Cup
25: A Champion’s Number, Through and Through
If you’re building a case for why number “25” matters, Nieuwendyk’s championship résumé pretty much speaks for itself. Winning the Stanley Cup with three different teams is rare enough, but the way he did it—stepping up in huge playoff moments, scoring timely goals, and anchoring key lines—is what really sticks with fans. That kind of postseason presence helps explain why the number “25” carries a bit of quiet prestige. It’s worn by players who don’t need to be loud to be leaders. They show it in the way they compete, shift after shift.
Why #25 Still Resonates with Hockey Fans
For longtime hockey fans, jersey number "25" is the number you associate with players who might not chase headlines but always seem to show up in the highlight packs anyway. And thanks to players like Joe Nieuwendyk, it also represents legacy—the kind that grows not just from scoring goals, but from earning respect across the league.