By the Numbers: Why the Number 6 Matters in NHL

The number “6” has quietly hung around NHL history for decades. It shows up in conversations about the league’s early days, classic team histories, and even how players choose their numbers. Number “6” isn’t flashy, but it carries more meaning than you might expect.

The “Original Six” Era: When the Number Defined the Whole League

Ask a hockey fan what they think of when they hear “6,” and most will point straight to the “Original Six”. Those were the teams that made up the NHL from 1942 until the league finally expanded in 1967: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

For 25 years, that was the entire NHL—just six clubs battling each other night after night. Every grudge match, every playoff storyline, every Hall of Famer came out of that small, intense group. Fans still talk about the “Original Six” era like it’s a living thing. That’s why the number “6” sticks around: it’s an easy shorthand for a time when the league was tighter with each team constantly in each other’s way.

Number “6” on the Blue Line: A Classic Defenseman’s Calling Card

The number “6” also has roots on the ice itself, especially for defensemen. Back in the day, blue-liners were regularly given numbers “2 through 6” almost by default. Players today have far more freedom when choosing their jersey numbers, but that old habit still shapes how some numbers feel. When you watch a defenseman wearing the number “6”, you can almost picture the style—steady, physical, dependable, willing to handle the tough minutes without much fanfare. Even as the game speeds up and defensemen jump into the rush more often, the number still carries that familiar “hold things down” identity fans associate with the position.

Legends in Jersey Number 6: Toe Blake, Phil Housley and More

What really gives a number staying power, though, are the names attached to it. Take Toe Blake. Most people remember Blake as the coach of the Montreal Canadiens who couldn’t stop winning Stanley Cups, but as a player, he wore number “6” with plenty of success. He claimed the Hart Trophy (1939), scored big goals, and later carried that competitive edge behind the bench.

Then there’s Phil Housley. He was drafted 6th overall in 1982 and went on to become one of the most skilled offensive defensemen the NHL has ever seen. With number “6” on the back of his jersey, Housley’s skating and instincts made him a constant threat and helped him climb the scoring charts among American-born players.

Number 6: Etched into Hockey Lore

When you put all that together—the history, the traditions, the NHL stars who made it stand out—it’s easy to see why the number “6” keeps coming up in hockey talk. The number “6” links old-school fans with new ones, and it shows how even a simple number can pick up meaning over time.