Number "6" Has an Important Place in NHL History
The number 6 doesn’t get talked about the way goals, trophies, or star players do. But it’s been sitting in the background of NHL history all along. It connects eras, shows up in team identity, and ties together some of the league’s most important traditions without ever needing the spotlight.
The number “6” has carried meaning throughout NHL history. It shows up in the league’s earliest identity, in the Original Six era, in classic defensive roles, and even in the way certain players shaped how the game is remembered.
The Original Six: When the NHL Was Just Six Teams.
Ask a hockey fan what comes to mind with the number “6,” and many will immediately think of the “Original Six.” Those were the six teams that defined the NHL from 1942 to 1967: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
For 25 years, that was the entire league. Every rivalry, every playoff battle, every legendary player came out of that tight circle of teams. It’s why the “Original Six” still carries so much weight today—it represents a time when the NHL was smaller, sharper, and constantly battling itself night after night.
The Number 6 on Defence: A Traditional Role.
The number 6 also has strong roots on the ice, especially on the blue line. In earlier eras, defencemen were often assigned low numbers, and “6” became closely associated with the position.
Even today, when players have far more freedom in choosing jersey numbers, there’s still a certain feel to it. A defenceman wearing 6 tends to bring a sense of stability—someone trusted with tough minutes, defensive reads, and doing the unglamorous work that keeps games under control.
NHL Legends Who Wore Number 6.
What really gives a number meaning, though, are the players who wear it. Toe Blake is one of them. Before becoming one of the most successful coaches in NHL history with the Montreal Canadiens, he wore number 6 as a player and earned a reputation as a clutch scorer and as the 1939 Hart Trophy winner.
Then there’s Phil Housley, one of the most skilled offensive defencemen the game has ever seen. Drafted 6th overall in 1982, Housley turned number 6 into something dynamic. He blended speed, creativity, and offensive production from the back end.
“6” Is a Number That Still Carries Weight.
Taken together—the Original Six era, the defensive tradition, and the players who wore it—it’s easy to see why the number 6 still carries meaning in hockey culture. It’s not flashy, but it’s steady. And in hockey, that kind of identity tends to last longer than anything else.
[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]