By the Numbers: The Significance of #34 in NHL Goaltending

Hockey fans have always been fascinated by jersey numbers. While goalie numbers like 1, 30, or 35 usually get the spotlight, number “34” has quietly carved out a place of its own in NHL history. It’s been worn by goalies who handled heavy workloads season after season, delivered in big moments, and became cornerstones of their teams.

John Vanbiesbrouck: Setting the Standard

For many fans, the legacy of number “34” starts with John “Beezer” Vanbiesbrouck. He began his NHL career with the New York Rangers in the 1980s, and quickly earned a reputation as a goalie who thrived under pressure. Calm, competitive, and technically sharp, he gave the number “34” an identity that future goalies would live up to; he reached a career high point by winning the Vezina Trophy in 1985–86. Over a long NHL career, Vanbiesbrouck racked up more than 370 wins and became a go-to option when games mattered most. For a lot of fans, he was the first goalie who made number “34” feel important.

Miikka Kiprusoff: The Face of #34

If Vanbiesbrouck helped establish the number, Miikka Kiprusoff turned it into an identity. When he arrived in Calgary, the Flames signed more than just a starting goalie—they found their backbone. Kiprusoff played constantly, faced a ton of shots, and still made it look controlled. His Vezina Trophy season in 2006 and unforgettable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004 are burned into Flames lore. Fans remember the calm stance and the sense that the game was under control. The Flames retiring number “34” wasn’t about one season or one stat line; it was about years of trust built between a goalie and a fan base.

Byron Dafoe: A Quietly Memorable Run

Byron Dafoe may not get mentioned as often, but his time wearing number “34” left a real impression in Boston. In the late 1990s, he delivered one of the league’s strongest goaltending seasons, giving the Bruins stability when they needed it most. Dafoe wasn’t flashy. He didn’t need to be. He made the saves you expected—and just enough difficult ones to swing a game. For Bruins fans, number “34” still brings back memories of a goalie who simply got the job done.

34: A Number That Earned Its Reputation

In a league where jersey numbers quickly become shorthand for greatness, number “34” built its reputation the slow way. Vanbiesbrouck, Kiprusoff, and Dafoe all wore it differently, but the theme stayed the same: dependability, toughness, and showing up every night. It may not be the most common goalie number, but that’s part of what makes it stick. For fans who appreciate the grind as much as the highlights, number “34” means something—and it always will.