List of National Hockey League retired numbers

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This is a complete list of numbers retired by the National Hockey League (NHL). A retired number is a jersey number that is taken out of circulation by a team as a way of honouring a former member of that team who wore that number; after the number's retirement, members of that team are not permitted to wear the number on their jerseys unless by permission of the original number holder.

Wayne Gretzky's #99 was retired league-wide in 2000 [1]

The first team to retire a number was the Toronto Maple Leafs, which retired Ace Bailey's number 6 on February 14, 1934, prior to an All-Star game organized in his honour. The NHL currently has 186 retired numbers, 10 former retirements and 25 honoured numbers. Most of the numbers retired by the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques were put back in circulation when those franchises relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, respectively, although the Hurricanes keep Gordie Howe's number 9 unofficially retired. The Minnesota North Stars' two retired numbers were carried over when that franchise relocated to become the Dallas Stars, and remain retired today. During its existence, the Arizona Coyotes had a policy of retaining the numbers retired when the franchise was the Winnipeg Jets but reversed it after the Phoenix Coyotes were sold and became the Arizona Coyotes; these were retroactively classified as honoured numbers as part of the Arizona Coyotes Ring of Honor. Honoured numbers are similar to retired numbers, except that they remain available for use by other players. Presently, only the Calgary Flames, the St. Louis Blues, and the Winnipeg Jets (the latter honouring the players of the original Jets) employ this designation.

Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide in 2000;[1] Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number.

As of April 2026, only the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets have no retired numbers. Five teams have retired six numbers that are not those of former players from their franchises: the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers (x2), Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, and Vegas Golden Knights.

Twelve numbers have been retired by a team in honour of two different players.

Nine players have had their number retired by two different NHL teams:

Retired numbers

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Number retired league-wide
Never played for that particular franchise
Number retired by a team for multiple players

Italics denote numbers that will be retired during the 2025–26 NHL season.

More information Name, Team ...
Name Team No. Date Ref
Sid Abel Detroit Red Wings 12 April 29, 1995
Daniel Alfredsson Ottawa Senators 11 December 29, 2016 [2]
Glenn Anderson Edmonton Oilers 9 January 18, 2009 [3]
Syl Apps Toronto Maple Leafs 10 October 15, 2016 [4]
George Armstrong [4]
Barry Ashbee Philadelphia Flyers 4 October 13, 1977 [5][6]
Ace Bailey Toronto Maple Leafs 6 February 14, 1934 [4]
Bill Barber Philadelphia Flyers 7 October 11, 1990 [7]
Bill Barilko Toronto Maple Leafs 5 October 17, 1992 [4]
Andy Bathgate New York Rangers 9 February 22, 2009 [8]
Jean Beliveau Montreal Canadiens 4 October 9, 1971 [9]
Rob Blake Los Angeles Kings 4 January 17, 2015 [10]
Mike Bossy New York Islanders 22 March 3, 1992 [11]
Émile Bouchard Montreal Canadiens 3 December 4, 2009 [9]
Ray Bourque Boston Bruins 77 October 4, 2001 [12]
Colorado Avalanche November 24, 2001 [13]
Johnny Bower Toronto Maple Leafs 1 October 15, 2016 [4]
Michel Briere Pittsburgh Penguins 21 January 5, 2001 [14]
Rod Brind'Amour Carolina Hurricanes 17 February 18, 2011 [15]
Turk Broda Toronto Maple Leafs 1 October 15, 2016 [4]
Martin Brodeur New Jersey Devils 30 February 9, 2016 [16]
Neal Broten Dallas Stars 7 February 7, 1998 [17]
Dustin Brown Los Angeles Kings 23 February 11, 2023 [18]
Johnny Bucyk Boston Bruins 9 March 13, 1980 [19]
Pavel Bure Vancouver Canucks 10 November 2, 2013 [20]
Zdeno Chara Boston Bruins 33 January 15, 2026 [21]
Chris Chelios Chicago Blackhawks 7 February 25, 2024 [22]
King Clancy Toronto Maple Leafs 7 October 15, 2016 [4]
Dit Clapper Boston Bruins 5 February 12, 1947 [23]
Wendel Clark Toronto Maple Leafs 17 October 15, 2016 [4]
Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 16 November 15, 1984 [7][24]
Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers 7 October 18, 2005 [25]
Charlie Conacher Toronto Maple Leafs 9 October 15, 2016 [4]
Yvan Cournoyer Montreal Canadiens 12 November 12, 2005 [9]
Ken Daneyko New Jersey Devils 3 March 24, 2006 [26]
Hap Day Toronto Maple Leafs 4 October 15, 2016 [4]
Alex Delvecchio Detroit Red Wings 10 November 10, 1991
Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 16 November 8, 1990 [27]
Ken Dryden Montreal Canadiens 29 January 29, 2007 [9]
Patrik Elias New Jersey Devils 26 February 24, 2018 [28]
Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 7 December 3, 1987 [23]
Tony Esposito Chicago Blackhawks 35 November 20, 1988 [29]
Bernie Federko St. Louis Blues 24 March 16, 1991 [30]
Sergei Fedorov Detroit Red Wings 91 January 12, 2026 [31]
Frank Finnigan[a] Ottawa Senators 8 October 8, 1992 [32]
Adam Foote Colorado Avalanche 52 November 2, 2013 [33]
Peter Forsberg Colorado Avalanche 21 October 8, 2011 [34]
Ron Francis Carolina Hurricanes 10 January 28, 2006 [35]
Grant Fuhr Edmonton Oilers 31 October 9, 2003 [36]
Bob Gainey Montreal Canadiens 23 February 23, 2008 [9]
Danny Gare Buffalo Sabres 18 November 22, 2005 [37]
Mike Gartner Washington Capitals 11 December 28, 2008 [38]
Bob Gassoff St. Louis Blues 3 October 1, 1977 [30]
Bernie Geoffrion Montreal Canadiens 5 March 11, 2006 [9]
Eddie Giacomin New York Rangers 1 March 15, 1989 [8]
Rod Gilbert New York Rangers 7 October 14, 1979 [8]
Clark Gillies New York Islanders 9 December 7, 1996 [39]
Doug Gilmour Toronto Maple Leafs 93 October 15, 2016 [4]
Bill Goldsworthy Dallas Stars 8 February 15, 1992 [17]
Butch Goring New York Islanders 91 February 29, 2020 [40]
Adam Graves New York Rangers 9 February 3, 2009 [41]
Wayne Gretzky All NHL teams 99 February 6, 2000 [1]
Edmonton Oilers October 1, 1999 [42]
Los Angeles Kings October 9, 2002 [27]
Vic Hadfield New York Rangers 11 December 2, 2018 [43]
Glenn Hall Chicago Blackhawks 1 November 20, 1988 [29]
Al Hamilton Edmonton Oilers 3 October 10, 1980 [42]
Doug Harvey Montreal Canadiens 2 October 26, 1985 [9]
Dominik Hasek Buffalo Sabres 39 January 13, 2015 [44]
Milan Hejduk Colorado Avalanche 23 January 6, 2018 [45]
Lionel Hitchman Boston Bruins 3 February 22, 1934 [23]
Tim Horton Buffalo Sabres 2 January 5, 1996 [37]
Toronto Maple Leafs 7 October 15, 2016 [4]
Marian Hossa Chicago Blackhawks 81 November 20, 2022 [46]
Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings 9 March 12, 1972
Mark Howe Philadelphia Flyers 2 March 6, 2012 [47]
Harry Howell New York Rangers 3 February 22, 2009 [8]
Wayne Huizenga[b] Florida Panthers 37 January 19, 2018 [48]
Bobby Hull Chicago Blackhawks 9 December 18, 1983 [29]
Brett Hull St. Louis Blues 16 December 5, 2006 [49]
Dale Hunter Washington Capitals 32 March 11, 2000 [50]
Jarome Iginla Calgary Flames 12 March 2, 2019 [51][52]
Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh Penguins 68 February 18, 2024 [53]
Paul Kariya Anaheim Ducks 9 October 21, 2018 [54]
Red Kelly Toronto Maple Leafs 4 October 15, 2016 [4]
Detroit Red Wings 4 February 1, 2019 [55]
Ted Kennedy Toronto Maple Leafs 9 October 15, 2016 [4]
Dave Keon Toronto Maple Leafs 14 October 15, 2016 [4]
Miikka Kiprusoff Calgary Flames 34 March 2, 2024 [56]
Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild 9 March 13, 2022 [57]
Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers 17 October 6, 2001 [42]
Yvon Labre Washington Capitals 7 November 7, 1981 [50]
Elmer Lach Montreal Canadiens 16 December 4, 2009 [9]
Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 10 February 16, 1985 [9]
Pat LaFontaine Buffalo Sabres 16 March 3, 2006 [37]
Rod Langway Washington Capitals 5 November 26, 1997 [50]
Guy Lapointe Montreal Canadiens 5 November 8, 2014 [58]
Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay Lightning 4 February 10, 2018 [59]
Brian Leetch New York Rangers 2 January 24, 2008 [8]
Jere Lehtinen Dallas Stars 26 November 24, 2017
Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 66 November 19, 1997[c] [60]
Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit Red Wings 5 March 6, 2014 [61]
Trevor Linden Vancouver Canucks 16 December 17, 2008 [20]
Eric Lindros Philadelphia Flyers 88 January 18, 2018 [62]
Ted Lindsay Detroit Red Wings 7 November 10, 1991
Kevin Lowe Edmonton Oilers 4 November 5, 2021 [63]
Henrik Lundqvist New York Rangers 30 January 28, 2022 [64]
Roberto Luongo Florida Panthers 1 March 7, 2020 [65]
Al MacInnis St. Louis Blues 2 April 9, 2006 [30]
Keith Magnuson Chicago Blackhawks 3 November 12, 2008 [29]
Frank Mahovlich Toronto Maple Leafs 27 October 15, 2016 [4]
Patrick Marleau San Jose Sharks 12 February 25, 2023 [66]
Rick Martin Buffalo Sabres 7 November 15, 1995 [37]
Bill Masterton Dallas Stars 19 January 17, 1987 [17]
Lanny McDonald Calgary Flames 9 March 17, 1990 [67]
Mark Messier New York Rangers 11 January 12, 2006 [68]
Edmonton Oilers 11 February 27, 2007 [68]
Rick Middleton Boston Bruins 16 November 29, 2018 [69]
Stan Mikita Chicago Blackhawks 21 October 19, 1980 [29]
Ryan Miller Buffalo Sabres 30 January 19, 2023 [70]
Minnesota Wild fans[d] Minnesota Wild 1 October 11, 2000 [71]
Mike Modano Dallas Stars 9 March 8, 2014 [72]
Dickie Moore Montreal Canadiens 12 November 12, 2005 [9]
Howie Morenz Montreal Canadiens 7 November 2, 1937 [9]
Rick Nash Columbus Blue Jackets 61 March 5, 2022 [73]
Markus Naslund Vancouver Canucks 19 December 11, 2010 [20]
Scott Niedermayer Anaheim Ducks 27 February 17, 2019 [54]
New Jersey Devils December 16, 2011 [74]
Cam Neely Boston Bruins 8 January 12, 2004 [19]
Chris Neil Ottawa Senators 25 February 17, 2023 [75]
Bob Nystrom New York Islanders 23 April 1, 1995 [39]
Willie O'Ree[e] Boston Bruins 22 January 18, 2022 [76]
Terry O'Reilly Boston Bruins 24 October 24, 2002 [19]
Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 4 January 9, 1979 [23]
Bernie Parent Philadelphia Flyers 1 October 11, 1979 [7]
Gilbert Perreault Buffalo Sabres 11 October 17, 1990 [37]
Chris Phillips Ottawa Senators 4 February 18, 2020 [77]
Pierre Pilote Chicago Blackhawks 3 November 12, 2008 [29]
Barclay Plager St. Louis Blues 8 March 24, 1981 [30]
Bob Plager St. Louis Blues 5 February 2, 2017 [78]
Jacques Plante Montreal Canadiens 1 October 7, 1995 [9]
Denis Potvin New York Islanders 5 February 1, 1992 [39]
Chris Pronger St. Louis Blues 44 January 17, 2022 [79]
Jean Ratelle New York Rangers 19 February 25, 2018 [80]
Henri Richard Montreal Canadiens 16 December 10, 1975 [9]
Maurice Richard Montreal Canadiens 9 October 6, 1960 [9]
Mike Richter New York Rangers 35 February 4, 2004 [8]
Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators 35 February 24, 2022 [81]
Rene Robert Buffalo Sabres 14 November 15, 1995 [37]
Larry Robinson Montreal Canadiens 19 November 19, 2007 [9]
Luc Robitaille Los Angeles Kings 20 January 20, 2007 [27]
Patrick Roy Colorado Avalanche 33 October 28, 2003 [82]
Montreal Canadiens November 22, 2008 [9]
Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche 19 October 1, 2009 [83]
Borje Salming Toronto Maple Leafs 21 October 15, 2016 [4]
Denis Savard Chicago Blackhawks 18 March 19, 1998 [29]
Serge Savard Montreal Canadiens 18 November 18, 2006 [9]
Terry Sawchuk Detroit Red Wings 1 March 6, 1994 [84]
Milt Schmidt Boston Bruins 15 March 13, 1980 [19]
Seattle Kraken fans[f] Seattle Kraken 32 October 23, 2021 [85]
Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks 22 February 12, 2020 [86]
Henrik Sedin 33
Teemu Selanne Anaheim Ducks 8 January 11, 2015
Eddie Shore Boston Bruins 2 April 1, 1947 [23]
Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs 27 October 15, 2016 [4]
Billy Smith New York Islanders 31 February 20, 1993 [87]
Stan Smyl Vancouver Canucks 12 November 3, 1991 [88]
Martin St. Louis Tampa Bay Lightning 26 January 13, 2017 [89]
Eric Staal Carolina Hurricanes 12 January 12, 2025 [90]
Scott Stevens New Jersey Devils 4 February 3, 2006 [91]
Mats Sundin Toronto Maple Leafs 13 October 15, 2016 [4]
Brian Sutter St. Louis Blues 11 December 30, 1988 [30]
Dave Taylor Los Angeles Kings 18 April 3, 1995 [27]
Joe Thornton San Jose Sharks 19 November 23, 2024 [92]
John Tonelli[g] New York Islanders 27 February 21, 2020 [40]
Bill Torrey[h] Florida Panthers 93 October 23, 2010 [93]
Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 19 October 20, 2001 [39]
Rogie Vachon Los Angeles Kings 30 February 14, 1985 [27]
Mike Vernon Calgary Flames 30 February 6, 2007 [67]
2017 Las Vegas shooting victims[i] Vegas Golden Knights 58 March 31, 2018 [94]
Glen Wesley Carolina Hurricanes 2 February 17, 2009 [95]
Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 19 January 2, 2007 [96]
Sergei Zubov Dallas Stars 56 January 28, 2022 [97]
Close
Notes
  1. [a]
    Finnigan did not play for the current Senators franchise, which does not retain the history of the original team. The number he wore was retired because he played for the original Senators franchise and was active in campaigning to bring a new franchise to Ottawa.
  2. [b]
    The Florida Panthers retired the number 37 to honor former owner Wayne Huizenga, who owned the team between 1993 and 2001.
  3. [c]
    Unretired from December 27, 2000 to his second retirement on January 24, 2006.
  4. [d]
    The Minnesota Wild retired this number to honor their fans prior to their first game on Oct 11, 2000.
  5. [e]
    O'Ree is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.
  6. [f]
    The number honors both the franchise being the 32nd to join the NHL, and the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first day they were available.
  7. [g]
    At the time of its retirement, number 27 was worn by Anders Lee, and is allowed to continue wearing the number with Tonelli's blessing.
  8. [h]
    The Florida Panthers retired the number 93 to honor president and general manager Bill Torrey because the team was founded in 1993. Torrey was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1995.
  9. [i]
    This number was retired in honor of the 58 people who were killed in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

Unofficially retired numbers

These numbers are not considered officially retired, but have still been removed from circulation.

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
More information Name Chase, Team ...
Name Chase Team No. Date Ref
Larry Aurie Detroit Red Wings 6 1938 [98]
Luc Bourdon Vancouver Canucks 28 2008
Steve Chiasson Carolina Hurricanes 3 1999 [99]
Pavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings 13 2016
Theoren Fleury Calgary Flames 14 1999
Jean-Sebastien Giguere Anaheim Ducks 35 2010
Gordie Howe Carolina Hurricanes 9 1997 [99]
Artūrs Irbe Carolina Hurricanes 1 2004
Olaf Kolzig Washington Capitals 37 2009
Vladimir Konstantinov Detroit Red Wings 16 1997
Pelle Lindbergh Philadelphia Flyers 31 1985 [100]
Wayne Maki Vancouver Canucks 11 1974
Chris Osgood Detroit Red Wings 30 2011
Rick Rypien Vancouver Canucks 37 2011
Ryan Smyth Edmonton Oilers 94 2014
Josef Vasicek Carolina Hurricanes 63 2011
Henrik Zetterberg Detroit Red Wings 40 2018
Close

Honoured numbers

Unlike retired numbers, these honoured numbers were not necessarily withdrawn from circulation. Some of the numbers honoured remain in circulation, while others have been removed from circulation without being officially retired.

A few uniform numbers of the original Winnipeg Jets were honoured by both the current Jets (originally the Atlanta Thrashers) and the Arizona Coyotes, the relocated incarnation of the original Jets. These numbers remain in circulation by both teams. As of April 2024, the Coyotes have been deactivated by the NHL.

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner
Honoured as a broadcaster for the franchise
Number honoured by a team for multiple players
More information Name, Team ...
Name Team No. Date Ref
Red Berenson St. Louis Blues 7 March 7, 2011 [101]
Randy Carlyle[a] Winnipeg Jets 8 February 11, 2020 [102]
Johnny Gaudreau Columbus Blue Jackets 13 October 15, 2024 [103]
Dale Hawerchuk[a] Winnipeg Jets 10 November 14, 2017 [102]
Anders Hedberg[a] Winnipeg Jets 15 October 19, 2016 [102]
Bobby Hull[a] Winnipeg Jets 9 October 19, 2016 [102]
Matiss Kivlenieks Columbus Blue Jackets 80 October 14, 2021
Ab McDonald[a] Winnipeg Jets 14 February 26, 2019 [102]
Al MacInnis Calgary Flames 2 February 27, 2012 [104]
Joe Mullen St. Louis Blues 7 March 7, 2011 [101]
Joe Nieuwendyk Calgary Flames 25 March 7, 2014 [105]
Ulf Nilsson[a] Winnipeg Jets 14 October 19, 2016 [102]
Teppo Numminen[a] Winnipeg Jets 27 November 17, 2022 [102]
Rod Phillips[b] Edmonton Oilers 3542 March 29, 2011 [106]
Teemu Selanne[a] Winnipeg Jets 13 November 17, 2022 [102]
Lars-Erik Sjoberg[a] Winnipeg Jets 4 February 26, 2019 [102]
Thomas Steen[a] Winnipeg Jets 25 February 11, 2020 [102]
Keith Tkachuk St. Louis Blues 7 March 7, 2011 [101]
Garry Unger
Doug Wickenheiser St. Louis Blues 14 January 21, 1999 [101]
Close
Notes
  1. [a]
    Played for the original Winnipeg Jets, whose statistical records remain with the Arizona Coyotes. The current Jets' records originate from their time as the Atlanta Thrashers.
  2. [b]
    Honoured as a broadcaster by the Edmonton Oilers, with the number referring to the 3,542 games called as a broadcaster for the Oilers.

Former retired numbers

It is very rare for a team to reissue a retired number, and usually requires a special circumstance, such as a number being requested for a family member (such as Bobby Hull asking the Phoenix Coyotes to allow his son Brett to wear Bobby's number 9),[107] or the player for whom the number was retired coming out of retirement himself (such as Mario Lemieux).

In cases of franchise relocation, the handling of existing retired numbers is at the discretion of team management. They may decide to continue honouring the retired numbers, such as the Dallas Stars and Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, or they may choose to make a "fresh start" and reissue the numbers, as the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes have done.

The Hurricanes have an unusual exception with regards to Gordie Howe's number 9. While the Hurricanes have not made any formal recognition of the Hartford Whalers' retirement of the number, they have kept the number out of circulation since their 1997 relocation.[99]

The Red Wings and Larry Aurie's number 6 are also something of a unique situation, as the number was officially retired, then un-retired so that his cousin, Cummy Burton, could wear it, much as the Jets/Coyotes did for the Hulls. It was then re-retired until 2000, when the Red Wings ordered it removed from the NHL's Official Guide and Record Book. Despite the unretirement, number 6 is still not available to be worn in Detroit.

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
More information Name, Team ...
Name Team No. Date Ref
Larry Aurie Detroit Red Wings 6 1939 [108]
Shane Doan Arizona Coyotes 19 February 24, 2019 [109]
Michel Goulet Quebec Nordiques 16 March 16, 1995 [110]
Gordie Howe Hartford Whalers 9 February 18, 1981 [99]
Bobby Hull Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) 9 February 19, 1989 [111][112]
Rick Ley Hartford Whalers 2 December 26, 1982 [99]
John McKenzie Hartford Whalers 19 1979 [99]
Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques 26 February 4, 1996 [113][114]
Thomas Steen Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) 25 May 6, 1995 [111]
Marc Tardif Quebec Nordiques 8 November 1, 1983 [110]
J. C. Tremblay Quebec Nordiques 3 October 28, 1979 [110]
Close

Former honoured numbers

The Arizona Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2024 and became the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth are officially recognized as an expansion team that does not own the history of the Coyotes.

Key
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Never played for that particular franchise
More information Name, Team ...
Name Team No. Date Ref
Leighton Accardo[a] Arizona Coyotes 49 April 17, 2021 [115]
Wayne Gretzky Arizona Coyotes 99 October 8, 2005
Dale Hawerchuk Arizona Coyotes 10 April 5, 2007 [111][116]
Bobby Hull Arizona Coyotes 9 October 8, 2005 [111][112]
Teppo Numminen Arizona Coyotes 27 January 30, 2010 [117]
Jeremy Roenick Arizona Coyotes 97 February 11, 2012 [117]
Thomas Steen Arizona Coyotes 25 January 21, 2006 [111]
Keith Tkachuk Arizona Coyotes 7 December 23, 2011 [117]
Close
Notes
  1. [a]
    Leighton Accardo never played for the franchise, but was a member of the Arizona Kachinas youth hockey program, a fan of the Coyotes, and signed a one-day contract with the team in 2019 before she died at nine years old from cancer on November 24, 2020. Her youth hockey number of 49 was placed into the Ring of Honor and the Coyotes wore an "LA49" decal on their helmets throughout the 2020–21 season.

References

External links

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