NHL Jersey Numbers-Guess Who Wore It?

By Patrick Comia | Mar 10, 2015

Next time you find yourself in a waiting area at your local DMV or doctor’s office, try and pass the time by playing the “What NHL player wore that number” trivia game.

Last week, I had to visit my local DMV to get a in-state driver’s license. As I walked in, the waiting area was already filled with warm bodies. I saw the sign: Take a number and have a seat. To help pass the time, the DMV conveniently placed paperwork for you a person to fill, in order to apply for a driver’s license. It so happens, I took the liberty of filling out this paperwork on-line ahead of time. Along with my proper identification, I was ready to make this a closed and shut case, as quick as you can say done.

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But, that is never the case when dealing with the DMV.

I took my number. It read “00”. At the time, they were serving 76. So as I rolled my eyes and mumbled some obscenities, I took my place in the waiting room.

24 numbers were to be called before mine. It was a long wait.

As I waited, I did the natural thing and took to the internet on my smartphone. But there is so much you can do. Search the web, check out Amazon for hockey related items, play Candy Crush (Yes, I confess), and took to social media like Facebook and Twitter.

But all have their limits, especially when your phone low on battery (51% energy).

As I stared at the wall with arms folded, I thought what could else could I do to pass the time. Then, it hit me. I’ll associate the number of places left before my number got called with a NHL player. For instance: take the number being serviced, say 76 and minus the difference from my number which is 00 (it was 00-99, and it started over in the same sequence), I got 24. Then I’d ask: which NHL player wore #24? Answer could have been Ryan Callahan.

Or change it up and take the present number being serviced, say 76 again. Then I’d ask: who wore number 76? The answer could have been Dustin Penner for the ‘then –called’ Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2006.

The great thing is, there are multiple answers for these questions. In a way, it was going back through history and remembering what players wore which numbers. Or, discover a player I didn’t know and read about them. Players like Bill Hicke and David Jensen both wore number 9 for their respective teams, while NHL fans will associate that number with more famous players such as ’Mr. Hockey’ Gordie Howe and Maurice “Rocket” Richard.

It made time go by, taking my mind off being bored. Of course it is better if you have somebody with you and is a hockey enthusiast. It could makes for some good wagers.

Next time you are stuck in a waiting room running on fumes with your smartphone, try this game out. It’s free, not time consuming, and may raise your eyebrows. You might get a chuckle out of it.

By the way, my number 00 was worn by goalies Marty Biron (Buffalo Sabres in 1996 for three games) and John Davidson (New York Rangers in 1978).

As Dana Carvey’s impression of talk show legend Johnny Carson use to say on Saturday Night Live: I did not know that.

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