I never played hockey, just baseball for nine years. I never had the same number twice. The only one that I ever really took note of, or was happy about was 72. Playing park district ball, I was on the White Sox and I liked Fisk so there's that.

Here's an excerpt from a podcast off the sportsmockery site detailing some draft night conversations between Kelly and Bowman leading up to the Reichel pick at 17.

https://sportsmockery.com...-no-17-in-2020-nhl-draft/

“[Lukas] Reichel’s there, do you like him?” Kelley asked Bowman.

“I like him a lot,” Stan responded. “The question between Reichel and [Kaiden] Guhle is just which has higher value?”

When the Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Rodion Amirov with the 15th pick, Bowman and Kelley knew at least one of the two players they were eyeing was going to be available at No. 17.

“Do you want the defenseman or do you want the skilled forward?” Kelley asked. “I like the forward cause I think there’s an upside. His ceiling makes him a vital part of a top-six.”

The Montreal Canadiens took Guhle at No. 16, making it a simple decision for the Blackhawks with Reichel still on the board.

“We got him,” Kelley said to Bowman. “We just played it right out. Yesterday, we said if we got him, we’d be really happy.”

Before landing Reichel at No. 17, the Blackhawks considered trading up in the first round for standout Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. When the Winnipeg Jets were on the clock with the 10th selection, Bowman was spotted showing Kelley a text, presumably between he and the Nashville Predators, who were picking 11th in the draft.

“He said if it’s the goalie, you’ll have to sweeten. I said, ‘What do you want? Tell me the price.” I told him Winnipeg took [Cole] Perfetti.”

A deal between the two sides never came to fruition, and Askrov wound up going to the Predators at No. 11. Regardless, the Blackhawks came away from the 2020 NHL Draft with a solid player, one that they had their eyes on for some time. That is a win for Bowman, Kelley, and the entire Blackhawks organization.

Alexandr Fortin - wasn’t he supposed to be the next Marko Dano?

And Altybarmarkyan - seems we’ve been hearing about him long enough to think that he must be 30 years old by now.
- StLBravesFan

Might be thinking of Shalunov? Of the Russians in the system, his name gets the most play. We'll see if he ever crosses over.

After Shalunov, then Nalimov and Kayumov seem to get mentioned a lot. Kayumov is actually playing strong so far but is on a new 2-year KHL contract.

Maybe it's just me but Altybarmakyan got the least airtime. He's also the youngest of the foursome and has the most skill, IMO.

Kayumov could surprise but just needs to get over to North America.

Good morning Theo, I wore coincidentally enough #22 in HS baseball, that number was assigned to me and I wore it all four years. Whenever I’m not upgraded on a flight, I always choose row 22 on all my travels.
- Angotti

That's cool you got the same 22 all 4 years of HS baseball. For my HS baseball, I wore 16 and 21 on the JV and varsity teams.

I know a few people who try to get the same row # on an airplane.

Theo Fox: Here's My Number
A look at the uniform numbers issued to the newest Blackhawks, brief glimpse of two prospects in particular, and personal stories of my own uniform numbers.
- Theo Fox

22 for me as a kid i was huge Bill Buckner fan, in football it was 88 Lynn Swann. Hockey didn't really get into until i went to a game in high school but if i would of bought a jersey then it would of been 28.

I wore 7 whenever I had a choice of number for Soccer. I wore it in travel, 3 years of varsity, and possibly 1 year of JV (I can't remember if I got 7 that year or not). No particular reason other than I like the number a lot and thought it was lucky. I also wore an Ace of spades under my right shin guard because I thought that was lucky too.

I also had to chug a SoBe Power before a game and eat a bowl of Count Chocula cereal for luck too.

I was fairly superstitious.
- Jance

I also had a liking for 7 (and still do) but for whatever reason liked 2 more. That's good you were able to have it during your entire soccer career.


The Ace of Spades under your right shin guard is pretty neat. I've had many hockey teammates who have superstitions about how they put on their equipment (i.e. a certain sequence) or what they do during warmups.

They never sold Count Chocula in my local grocery store. Had to eat Frankenberry instead. Not bad but as a kid, chocolate was always the preference.

# 9 I'm a little older than most on site but Bobby Hull was my guy and I played LW too , 2nd favorite # 35 for Tony Espo !!! I was around 6 when I became a Hawk fan ( 1969) in Connecticut !

I've always worn 8 for my grandmother. Her birthday and her and my grandpa's wedding anniversary was June 8th. She liked to watch horse racing and would always pick the #8 horse. She'd yell "go eight!" at the TV and as a small child, I'd mimic her.

In high school, I also played football and they wouldn't let a defensive end wear 8, so I chose 71, but for hockey it was almost always 8, and if not, something that added up to 8. I wore 17 for a season, 71 for a couple of teams, and 44 after my uncle passed away since that was what he wore when he played hockey.

It's always been a little disappointing not to have a solid #8 on the Blackhawks during my fandom, so I'm really excited for Kubalik and hope he stays around for awhile. He's certainly a step up from Trent Yawney, Steve Poapst, or Tony Salmalienen.
- Lash8

That's a really cool backstory to why 8 is significant to your family. Thank you for sharing!

You do notice when pro players do what you did with choosing numbers that add up to a their favorite number if that number is taken.

When I started playing inline hockey in the early 90s, I wore #11 because I was a big fan of Jeff Shantz. I loved the scrappy way he played, and modeled my play after him since I wasn't a prolific goal scorer. When I hopped on my first ice hockey team a few years later, someone already had #11, so I chose #27 because of Roenick who was my favorite Hawk until Toews came around.
- JPBurke27

I was a huge Roenick fan, too, so good choice after 11 was claimed.

Shantz is an example of when I first started to realize the true role of bottom 6 players like him. He played that role well so it made me appreciate quickly the imporance of 3rd and 4th liners.

Fun blog, Theo.

In hockey, whenever I got to pick, I was #18 for Denis Savard. If it wasn't available, I preferred #27 for Jeremey Roenick (and/or Johnny Oduya as I doubled as FWD and D on my Rec Hockey teams depending on how many guys showed up to play).
- Tyler Cameron

I played both D and C in rec leagues. Even though I preferred playing back, I did play up as the shutdown center. My offense was rather limited but enjoyed shadowing the other teams' best players.

Guess that makes me Marcus Kruger 2.0.

I wore #1 on the ice and #12 on the diamond.
The worst year I had in goal was the one year I got stuck wearing #30.
- scottak

So channeling Glenn Hall was much better for your net play than Eddie Belfour. Sounds about right!

Hey Theo, you have a thought on 98 Tim Soderlund? I see he's playing right now in Sveden's 2nd division, had 29 games at Rockford and even 7 games in the ECHL (why only a total of 36 games) last yr. Any idea why he was sent down to Indy?

Saw the kid live at the World Junior Summer Showcase a few yrs back and was sold on his speed/feet, tenacity, forechecking and willingness as a bottom 6 NHLer............ Has he shown that at Rockford, did he improve as the yr went on, what was his slotting and did he see PK time? Did he assimilate to the North American game?
- Mr Ricochet

Soderlund got demoted to Indy last year due to rehab stints. Otherwise, he deserved to play in Rockford. Two separate injuries kept interrupting his progress.

Of all the Hog players last year, he was the one who I felt was under utilized. He's at his best when he can just fly out there, play physical, crash the dirty areas, etc.

I just felt he played too conservatively which isn't his style. Soderlund is tailor made for the smaller North American ice. He always drives the middle.

Maybe it was by design by the coaches like they did for Boqvist and Beaudin.

I never played hockey, just baseball for nine years. I never had the same number twice. The only one that I ever really took note of, or was happy about was 72. Playing park district ball, I was on the White Sox and I liked Fisk so there's that.
- Chunk

That's unique for your park district to have uniform numbers go so high. I'm so used to them stopping at 30. Glad you could get 72.

22 for me as a kid i was huge Bill Buckner fan, in football it was 88 Lynn Swann. Hockey didn't really get into until i went to a game in high school but if i would of bought a jersey then it would of been 28.
- BetweenTheDots

I assume 28 for Larmer? That number needs to be retired.

# 9 I'm a little older than most on site but Bobby Hull was my guy and I played LW too , 2nd favorite # 35 for Tony Espo !!! I was around 6 when I became a Hawk fan ( 1969) in Connecticut !
- CTblackhawkfan

Out of curiosity, how did you become a Blackhawks fan living in Connecticut over other teams on the East Coast?

If I remember my history, the Whalers didn't become an NHL team until the mid 70s but can't recall when they started in the WHL.

I assume 28 for Larmer? That number needs to be retired.
- Theo Fox

I agree and it is.

I guess i should say it is and i agree on that order

Out of curiosity, how did you become a Blackhawks fan living in Connecticut over other teams on the East Coast?

If I remember my history, the Whalers didn't become an NHL team until the mid 70s but can't recall when they started in the WHL.
- Theo Fox

New England Whalers in the WHA - 1972-73 to 1978-79 - then Hartford Whalers in the NHL.

(hockey-reference.com)

Good morning Theo, I wore coincidentally enough #22 in HS baseball, that number was assigned to me and I wore it all four years. Whenever I’m not upgraded on a flight, I always choose row 22 on all my travels.
- Angotti

Jerry Korab?

Barratt better make Rick Paterson and Jocelyn Lemieux proud.
- Rota's Rooter

Billy Williams will always be his number.

Well, I know Chalupa stepped in it by picking 67 so it's a good thing Altabarmakyan stopped one short of hallowed ground and another Hawk legend's jersey number.

#85

We miss you Rusty!
- HawkintheD

That's good one ! Imagine if Hawks still have Tyler Motte and Graham Knott .... then traded for Steve Ott Motte - Ott - Knott but Graham Knott would tie the game up .... "knott up the score"
- chuckdahammer

Ott Knott Motte, Motte Knott Ott. Who's on first?

Wore #12 (was issued, didn't have a choice) from pee wee on up. College as a freshman wore #27, then switched to #7 sophmore thru senior, and in adult leagues. #7 was for Pit Martin, because my girlfriend at the time said I looked like him.

I wore “lucky” 13 for all my sports except 83 for football. In college I only did sports without numbers: Track & Field, Boxing and Rowing.

I remember a youth hockey coach saying that “only Russians” wore numbers over 60.

Wore #12 (was issued, didn't have a choice) from pee wee on up. College as a freshman wore #27, then switched to #7 sophmore thru senior, and in adult leagues. #7 was for Pit Martin, because my girlfriend at the time said I looked like him.
- LAHawk

Better to look like Pit Martin than some other Blackhawks legends like Pavel Vorobiev. Your ex chose wisely, not that Martin and Vorobiev were contemporaries.

Jerry Korab?
- rpeters01

That’s a good one.