By the Numbers: The Rise of #98 in the NHL
In the long, storied history of the NHL, certain jersey numbers carry an almost sacred weight. The number “99” is famously retired league-wide for Wayne Gretzky, and “66” is synonymous with Mario Lemieux. For decades, the number “98” sat in a strange sort of limbo—rarely worn and often viewed as a "close-but-not-quite" shadow of “The Great One”. But with the arrival of a new generation, that narrative is shifting fast.
#98 Makes its NHL Appearance: #1 Draft Pick in 1983
The story of number “98” actually begins as a cautionary tale. The first player to ever wear number “98” in the NHL was Brian Lawton. Drafted first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1983, Lawton settled on number “98” during his rookie season, but the choice seemed to have come with a psychological price. Because it sat just one digit away from number “99”, Lawton was presented with unwelcome comparisons to Wayne Gretzky. Lawton eventually changed his number after two seasons, and—for years—number “98” remained a rarity.
Cool Fact: In 1983, Brian Lawton set a record for the Minnesota North Stars; scoring the fastest two goals by a rookie (19 seconds).
The Switch for a Fresh Start in Edmonton
In more recent years, Jesse Puljujarvi—the fourth-overall pick in 2016—opted to wear number “98”, which made him the first NHL player to wear the number in a regular season game since Brian Lawton wore it. It seemed that number “98” might finally find a permanent home in the NHL spotlight. However, seeking a fresh start after several inconsistent seasons in Edmonton, Jesse Puljujarvi chose to not wear number “98”; he wore number “13” during his second stint with the Oilers.
Cool Fact: Aside from Jesse Puljujarvi, 2-time Stanley Cup champion—Mikhail Sergachev—has worn number “98” in the NHL.
The Rise of #98: The Bedard Era
For number “98”, everything changed when Connor Bedard stepped onto the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks. Connor Bedard hasn’t just worn number “98”; he has owned it. For the next generation of hockey fans, number “98” will most definitely be a far-reaching brand. As Connor Bedard continues to pile up highlights in Chicago, it’s clear that number “98” is no longer a historical footnote; it is part of the new standard of NHL excellence.
Cool Fact: In 2023, Connor Bedard was the second player born in British Columbia selected #1 overall (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins; 2011).
The Legacy of #98: A New Gold Standard
For decades, the number “98” was a rare selection that—seemingly—lived in the shadow of Wayne Gretzky’s number “99”. Today, that narrative has shifted; number “98” has moved from a historical curiosity to a hallmark of elite, modern talent.