By the Numbers: Three Legends Behind the NHL’s Iconic Jersey Number 9
Some jersey numbers feel bigger than the fabric they’re stitched on, and the number “9” is one of them. Number “9” has been worn by scorers, leaders, and pure game changers—but three Hockey Hall of Fame players arguably helped define this iconic digit more than anyone: Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, and Bobby Hull. Each of these three NHL stars left a lasting mark on the game of hockey, and together they turned a simple jersey number into one of hockey’s most recognizable symbols of excellence.
Maurice Richard: Montreal’s Trailblazing Goal Scorer
Maurice “Rocket” Richard wasn’t just a great player—he played like every shift mattered. Spending his whole career with the Montreal Canadiens, he became the first to score 50 goals in 50 games and later the first to score 500 goals. Fans still talk about his relentlessness around the net and the intensity that made him the heartbeat of a Montreal Canadiens dynasty that won eight Stanley Cups. The Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, given each year to the league’s top goal scorer, keeps Richard’s legacy front and center.
Gordie Howe: The Definition of Longevity and Complete Play
If Richard brought pure scoring fire, Gordie Howe brought everything else with it. “Mr. Hockey” could score, set up plays, defend, and play with a physical edge—sometimes all in the same shift. Howe’s résumé is quite incredible: more than 800 goals, over 1,000 assists, multiple MVP and scoring titles, plus four Stanley Cups with Detroit. But his longevity is what fans marvel at most. Howe played into his 50s, bridging generations and showing, season and season, what it meant to be consistent, tough, and endlessly competitive night after night.
Bobby Hull: “The Golden Jet” Takes Flight
Bobby Hull delivered a different kind of thrill. With his explosive stride and booming slapshot, “The Golden Jet” made every offensive rush up the ice feel like something was about to happen. Hull’s natural scoring touch helped him score over 600 goals and earn multiple MVP and scoring titles, along with a Stanley Cup championship. Hull’s arrival in Chicago helped move the Blackhawks into regular contention and brought a noticeable level of excitement to the NHL. Hull’s influence on scoring goals and, ultimately, an offensive style of play is still part of hockey’s story.
Hockey’s Legacy of Jersey Number 9
Richard, Howe, and Hull didn’t just wear number “9”—they gave hockey fans reasons to care about it. Each of these three Hockey Hall of Fame players brought something distinctive to the ice; their combined impact made number “9” impossible to separate from hockey history. Ultimately, due to the impact that Richard, Howe, and Hull made on the game of hockey, jersey number “9” still signals effort, impact, and the kind of play that simply remains with fans—everywhere—long after the game ends.
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