By the Numbers: Why the Number 20 Holds a Special Place in Hockey Culture
20 and Timeless: An Unexpected Hockey Staple
Hockey has its famous numbers—the ones that make you think of instant highlights or debate over a conversation with friends. But there’s one number that quietly sneaks into almost every part of the game: 20. It doesn’t demand attention, yet it’s everywhere—from reliable players fans love to the structure of the game itself. Look closer, and you realize the number “20” has a place in hockey culture that most people don’t even notice.
1. A Quietly Iconic Jersey Number
Some numbers feel legendary—8, 9, 19, 66, 87, 99. Then there’s 20, the quiet one that earns respect the old-fashioned way. Players who wear it are often the ones who mix skill with consistency—the players coaches can rely on. Think of a winger who crashes the net but hustles back on defense, or a defenseman who quietly shuts down plays without needing the spotlight. That’s often a player wearing number “20”. And the number has had stars, too. For example, Luc Robitaille made it look effortless, scoring 668 goals and 1394 points throughout his NHL career (1431 GP).
2. The Power of Three 20-Minute Periods
Even if you don’t care about hockey jersey numbers, fans can’t escape the number “20”—it literally runs the game of hockey. In regulation play, everything happens in three 20-minute periods, the pulse of hockey. Coaches love to put it simply: “Win the next 20.” It works. A new period is a reset—whether a team is protecting a lead or trying to catch up. Anyone who’s played the game of hockey knows the moment: quiet in the locker room, a deep breath, maybe a gear tweak, then back on the ice. Those first shifts and final frantic minutes can decide a game. Fans feel it too, sensing when a team hits the reset button and comes out flying for the next 20 minutes. Number “20” in hockey is a simple number, but it drives pace, strategy, emotion, and the thrill of the game.
By the Numbers: Why the Number “20” Holds a Special Place in Hockey Culture
In the game of hockey, the number “20” may not have the flashiest reputation, but it is woven into the game in ways that truly matter. From dependable players to the periods that shape every game, the number “20” helps form hockey’s heartbeat—steady, familiar, and quietly essential.