Sweater numbers are synonymous with players. Most hockey fans can instantly tell you a great player by the number they wear on their back. There are many different stories about how players became associated with the famous numbers. Many odd and interesting facts surround these numbers as well. As we count down the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, we take a look at the story behind the numbers. Today we continue with sweater number 43. Keep up to date with the series everyday until the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Behind the Sweater Number: 43
The First 43s
According to Hockey Reference, 165 players have worn sweater number 43. This is since records on sweater number have been kept since the 1950-51 season. Hockey Reference lists Dennis Ververgaert as the first player to don the digits in the 1978-79 season. Ververgaert actually had the number 28 in the same season, but moved onto 43 with the Philadelphia Flyers. He wouldn’t last long in that number, as he’d switch to the more common 11 next season.
Another Flyers player would take 43 next in the 1980-81 season. Flockhart would also move over to sweater 11 just like Ververgaert did with Philadelphia. It would take until the 1988-89 season before three players would take on sweater number 43. Benoit Brunet, Mike Hudson and Ray Podloski each would take on the number that campaign.
Cameos
There are always a number of players that wore sweater number 43 that would go onto have decent to good careers. However, these were with other numbers. Andrew Cassels first number in the NHL was 43 with the Montreal Canadiens. Al Iafrate finished his career as 43 with the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks. Ray Whitney also started his Sharks career with the number 43 before switching to 14. Martin Straka had 43 with the New York Islanders before going to 28 and 82.
Joe Murphy had 43 with the Bruins for the 1999-2000 season. Brandon Saad started his career with the Chicago Blackhawks as 43 before switching over to 20. Scott Hartnell had sweater number 43 with the Columbus Blues Jackets. Future New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan had 43 as his first number with the Blueshirts. However, he would take on his more familiar 24 after his rookie season. Jamie Oleksiak started his NHL career off as a 43 with the Dallas Stars.
Tom Wilson
The Washington Capitals forward may not be a popular choice, but he’s been a complete forward for his team. Wilson came into the league in the 2013-14 season, bu he only scored three goals. The Toronto native would see his goal totals pick up in the 2017-18 season when he flanked Alex Ovechkin. Wilson also has been known to drop the gloves and some rough hits. However, he’s a vital cog to the Capitals and got a contract extension.
Wilson has a simple reason to wear sweater number 43. He was just given the number and he kept it. The veteran winger said the number is pretty special to him and he likely doesn’t seem like he wants to change it.
Other 43s
There have been a number of players that have carved out careers with the number. Martin Biron was listed as the top 43 in Scott Morrison’s book By the Numbers. The former netminder won 230 games and has become an analyst after his career. Philippe Boucher was a late convert to the church of 43 and played in 748 games. Defenceman Patrice Brisebois played most of his career with 43 in Montreal. However, he would move onto 71 with the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal.
Darren Helm was a multiple-time Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings and the Avalanche. Nazem Kadri wore 43 with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to Colorado. Conor Sheary wore 43 with two different teams before switching to 73.
The Future
Two of the Hughes brothers, Luke Hughes and Quinn Hughes, are wearing sweater number 43 with their respective teams. Ottawa Senators prospect Tyler Kleven debuted with 43 with the club.
The Hughes brothers might be the biggest threat to Wilson in taking the king of 43 crown. However, it’s the rugged forward’s title for now.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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