This ain't really my thing but glancing over the thread I see many comment on #99. Is there a movement to retire the number league wide?

Indeed, as you say it's out of respect, at least, that one not wear #99. Gretzky is not a Jackie Robinson but more like Curt Flood, who's stance and lawsuits vs MLB put millions and billions of dollars in player's pockets as a result.

Gretzky moving to LA exposed the sport like no other player could to the most populated state in the US and 6th largest economy on earth, California.

As a result the game got stronger, hundreds and hundreds of youth teams were started out west as a result, creating more and better US hockey players, making the sport better from the youth leagues to the NHL creating thousands and thousands of hockey jobs and opportunities thus putting hundreds of millions in peoples pockets.

No, not a Jackie Robinson or even a Curt Flood but tens of thousands of people owe their paycheck to #99 simply due to opportunities he created for them. ....... Indeed Boisy, out of respect at the very least.
- Mr Ricochet

It’s just a number. If someone wants to wear it they should. How do we know that there’s not some kid out there who could be the best to ever wear the number if he never gets the chance?

He can skate, he’s physical, can kill penalties, he’s not a black hole offensively and he’s cheap
- paulr

One of these may be true. He will fight. He just isn't good at it.

#99 was retired league-wide in 2000. Dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life. If you want to honor great players in you teams history, have some sort of wall of fame, or put their names up in the rafters or some other dumb poop like that. Retiring a number (for any reason) has got to be the most useless waste of time that teams have ever concocted.

... and I don't even feel that strongly about it.

- Chunk

Well there you go. I had no idea #99 was retired league wide and I'm old. .. And like you not much I could care less about.

Well there you go. I had no idea #99 was retired league wide and I'm old. .. And like you not much I could care less about.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think I've ever heard anywhere somebody saying the people running the NHL were smart. If the Vegas owner wants to run somebody out there wearing 99 nobody will stop him.

I grew up out west. I was living in LA at the time the Kings traded for Gretzky. That's when I started watching. If not for that, would I have ever bothered to watch? When I came to Chicago, Old Man Wirtz was starting the fire sale, and I saw no reason to continue watching here. And even if I wanted to, I would have only been able to watch Hawk road games, out of deference to the season reservation holders.

One could make the case that Gretzky was indirectly responsible for Auston Matthews, who grew up in Scottsdale. That doesn't happen if he was born 20 years earlier. If Gretzky had played his entire career in Edmonton, I doubt that the league would have retired #99. And if he had worn #9 his whole career, I doubt that gets retired league wide, either. But given that he took a rarely worn number and made it his brand, along with what he did for the game, it deserved to be retired league wide.
- 333inthe3rd

And I bet your story is more common than not in the great state of California. Thanks for sharing it...........

Then you come to The City of Big Shoulders and get to deal with Dollar Bill! .... I grew up here and it got to a point I couldn't deal with the old man anymore. Boycotted the Hawks, they didn't get a nickel of my money, for 23 yrs.. Think it was September 27th 2007 heard on the radio he died. On September 28th I ordered a 10 game package, then another. That put me on the list, was called the next summer and have had seasons ever since, row 1, 3rd level, on the goal line where the Hawks shoot twice. The same wall that Kaner sets up shop.

But the old man didn't take hockey away from me. Went to lots of HS games, found AA unafilliated pro and then jrs because of the miserable SOB. Opened up a whole world of hockey I really didn't know about or appreciate and for that I am forever grateful.

One of these may be true. He will fight. He just isn't good at it.
- Elbows15

Agreed. It was lights out against one of the Ritchie brothers last March.

I don't think I've ever heard anywhere somebody saying the people running the NHL were smart. If the Vegas owner wants to run somebody out there wearing 99 nobody will stop him.
- rpeters01

1. Every game needs it heroes and role models. Retiring numbers of truly special players does just that. It is a constant reminder, good for story-telling, marketing, etc.
2. If you wear 99, at some point you will be compared to WG. Even if you don't think about it, not sure anyone needs that pressure.

Nothing wrong with retiring #s of players who were truly revolutionary and changed the game.

It’s just a number. If someone wants to wear it they should. How do we know that there’s not some kid out there who could be the best to ever wear the number if he never gets the chance?
- Ogilthorpe2

I've known #99 is retired league wide for 5 minutes and I'm really neutral on it. What's the reason, cuz he's the greatest? I guess most would say he is but that's subjective. Same if one were to say he's the most important hockey player ever, that too is subjective.

I'd concede though retiring any number LEAGUE wide can easily be seen as overstepping boundries and knowing Gretzky he'd rather they didn't do that. He's a humble fella.

1. Every game needs it heroes and role models. Retiring numbers of truly special players does just that. It is a constant reminder, good for story-telling, marketing, etc.
2. If you wear 99, at some point you will be compared to WG. Even if you don't think about it, not sure anyone needs that pressure.

Nothing wrong with retiring #s of players who were truly revolutionary and changed the game.
- CSKA1981

1.] you can do the same thing with a wall/ring of honor.
2.] If wearing 99 were more commonplace, that would cease to be the case.

It’s silly.

My first favorite Hawk.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah, he was awesome.

My Pops brought me and sis to a game in the very late 80's. My dad was holding my sis in her Chevrier jersey on his arm and Brown dropped a puck to my sister over the glass during warmups. Always will remember it.

There is no need for any number to be retired by any team ever. It’s a silly tradition. Just give him #9 and be done with it.
- Ogilthorpe2

I am torn on this subject.

Players who make the HOF, etc I think it's fine organizations retire their numbers and/or do a ring of honor tribute. What is a bit hypocritical is when you start allow guys like Magnuson to get his number retired but keep others out.....pick a lane.

Look at the Yankees, not sure if they have any single digit numbers left, that’s crazy.
- Angotti

the bears retire your number for showing up.

That’s fine, but don’t tell everyone else it’s off limits. It’s silly.

Maybe it’s the reason nobody wears JOFA helmets anymore…because Wayne and Mario wore them.
- Ogilthorpe2

that and you want your brains scrambled....put that thing on....might as well wear a burger king crown on your dome.

I've known #99 is retired league wide for 5 minutes and I'm really neutral on it. What's the reason, cuz he's the greatest? I guess most would say he is but that's subjective. Same if one were to say he's the most important hockey player ever, that too is subjective.

I'd concede though retiring any number LEAGUE wide can easily be seen as overstepping boundries and knowing Gretzky he'd rather they didn't do that. He's a humble fella.
- Mr Ricochet

Further to Taige Harding yesterday. Harding plays minor junior, he’s not in the WHL. Playing in the league he’s in the AJHL allows him to maintain his eligibility to play college hockey. That’s possibly why he’s staying in that league? If he goes to the WHL he cannot play college hockey. If he plays in the USHL can he maintain his college eligibility? If not, maybe that’s why he’s not going there?

He can skate, he’s physical, can kill penalties, he’s not a black hole offensively and he’s cheap
- paulr

appreciate your endorsement of my scouting NHL players....

I am a Dach fan, but this is the year he needs to take a large step forward and contribute offensively, like we saw in the bubble in Edmonton. IF he's getting top line minutes with Kane and DeBrincat, notching 20+ goals is asking a lot.

My main point was again....those rag dolling about the picks Bowman gave up for Jones.....1st round picks regardless of where they are, aren't a 100% lock.....Dach will be a NHL player but is it a top 6 player or does he become a top 9 player and a contributor? No idea....but for where he was drafted it would be a disappointment if he doesn't come a lot closer to his ceiling soon.

Hopefully he's ready to roll this season.

I don't know. As I player you would not want to wear 99, 66 for any team, or 9 as a Hawk. I guess its a sign of respect, but remember how dumb Ho Sang looked in 66.
If its your favorite # then go for it, but I would not want to wear those #'s unless I was putting up a ton of points!
- Boisy12

The Leaves bringing in Josh Ho Sang on a PTO this fall BTW.

You're in Sveden, no? Have you watched any of the Hlinka tournament so far? The streams are free but none in English. Canada is not there but that Russian squad is stacked with probably two top 5 picks, Slovakia is lighting fast and fun to watch with probably a top 5 and top 10 pick, Finland too with some probable NHL picks on the squad.

Just sitting down to yesterday's RUS v FIN. https://twitter.com/HlinkaMemorial
- Mr Ricochet

No I haven´t able to watch any games. And I´m from Finland.

Keith Brown?
- LAHawk

Gilles Marotte

appreciate your endorsement of my scouting NHL players....

I am a Dach fan, but this is the year he needs to take a large step forward and contribute offensively, like we saw in the bubble in Edmonton. IF he's getting top line minutes with Kane and DeBrincat, notching 20+ goals is asking a lot.

My main point was again....those rag dolling about the picks Bowman gave up for Jones.....1st round picks regardless of where they are, aren't a 100% lock.....Dach will be a NHL player but is it a top 6 player or does he become a top 9 player and a contributor? No idea....but for where he was drafted it would be a disappointment if he doesn't come a lot closer to his ceiling soon.

Hopefully he's ready to roll this season.
- SteveRain

Two years ago half this board was ready to launch ADB into orbit. He had an off year. Dach came back from an injury and had an off year. I expect him to bounce back offensively but it’s possible he won’t. Remember he came into the NHL as a guy who wasn’t a strong finisher. It’s a shame he wasn’t allowed to learn in an environment with far less pressure and expectations.

Agreed! If the number of the greatest player ever is to be retired it should be number 4.
- paulr

We agree yet again, #4 is the GOAT, not 99 or 66.

that and you want your brains scrambled....put that thing on....might as well wear a burger king crown on your dome.
- SteveRain

You asked, you shall receive (but fair warning, this is a 10 min compilation of the King crowns!):

Two years ago half this board was ready to launch ADB into orbit. He had an off year. Dach came back from an injury and had an off year. I expect him to bounce back offensively but it’s possible he won’t. Remember he came into the NHL as a guy who wasn’t a strong finisher. It’s a shame he wasn’t allowed to learn in an environment with far less pressure and expectations.
- paulr

100% on DeBrincat and like you I held firm he would be fine. He was getting chances, and just not scoring due to being stoned on ridiculous saves, just missing corners which snow balled into a dent into his confidence. Kid bounced back greatly, and that lesson of that "off year" will likely be a thing he can go back on throughout his career and keep his mind right.

I get that on Dach, and I do as well...exactly why I disagree with Elbows on how many goals this team will score. Think they have the horses IF they stay healthy and that starts with 19 being there and everyone being slotted in the best roles for them to succeed.

Like we discussed a few blogs back, I think it's VERY fair to question the Hawks inability lately to develop 1st round picks. Either they are rushing them up into the show far too early, or the development at other levels isn't adequate, but honestly....if you think about it....the most productive "new players" have been European signings like Suter, Panarin, Kubalik that have progressed. That is THE one thing I believe that is keeping a large target off Bowman's back and his era at the helm for ending.

I know others are butt hurt about trades for this guy, or keeping this guy, but the addition of Fleury, Jones, McCabe IMO...will help stabilize that back end. I dont know if was the players OR the system that JC enacted, but that riddle will quickly be answered this year and JC's future likely depends on how this team does. Fleury will allow some players to take more chances having confidence that he can stop a lot of key momentum changing goals.....much like Crawford and Lehner were able to do....I just think this defense is better overall personnel wise than it has been in year's past.

Now we wait to see if/when Bowman finishes fine tuning this roster.

We agree yet again, #4 is the GOAT, not 99 or 66.
- Angotti

When Ovechkin breaks Gretzky's record he's in the conversation. Fact he is putting up those goal numbers vs 100000000000000000 better quality goalies and an era where every D man and most forwards are in shooting lanes hell bent on blocking shots is a huge variable nobody seems to want to discuss.

on top of that, Ovechkin hasn't been paired with that many great players like Gretzky had or another dominant player, like Messier who forced opposing teams to choose who to shut down like say Malkin and Crosby. backstrom is good, but hes not in that class. Also he had a PRIME Paul Cofey with him as well.

Lets also remember go back and watch all those 80s goals where you had goalies coming out standing up in their dinky pads and getting exposed......whole different era.

Never saw Orr play, but I get the love affair those who did have for him.....

You asked, you shall receive (but fair warning, this is a 10 min compilation of the King crowns!):


- savvyone-1

hahahaha.....jofa helmet=immediate CTE

No I haven´t able to watch any games. And I´m from Finland.
- MjulQvist

I always remember you having excellent scoop on Euro hockey. Very helpful.... I'm 10:00 into yesterday's RUS v FIN Hlinka game. Good game. #17 for Finland, Emil Järventie, 2023 draft eligible, is coming to play for Muskegon of the USHL this yr. ......... If this tournament interests you get a look at Slovakia. They clubbed the USA yesterday and man they play at warp speed. Really fun to watch. Have a Dman, Nemac, sure to go top 5 and a forward, Slavkofsky, looks to be a 1st rounder and I really really like their goalie, Elias, who's supposed to come and play for USHL Green Bay. Kid played U-18's at 15 and U-20's at 16 throwing up .930 SPGs in the top Slovakian Jr League.

Link to the FIN v RUS game: https://www.hokej.cz/tv/hokejka/video/20210711

FIN roster: https://www.eliteprospect...om/team/15795/finland-u18

RUS roster: https://www.eliteprospect...com/team/15797/russia-u18


Hlinka tournament primer from The Hockey News:

After many teams completed U-20 camps over the last week, the attention turns to the eight-team Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an early look at the top U-18 talent for the upcoming season. The tournament wasn’t held last summer but Russia won the last event held back in 2019. Otherwise, Canada has been the dominant unit, winning the tournament in 20 of the last 24 years.

But Canada has chosen not to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the nation instead hosting scrimmages against the U-20 program back home. That means we’ll see a closer competition than usual, with no true No. 1 favorite just yet.

The tournament, set to kick off in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Monday, is a one-week event prior to Europe’s organized leagues returning to play. Russia, Finland and Sweden always typically contend at this event, but USA can never be counted out, even if they don’t bring their best players.

The 2022 and 2023 NHL drafts are considered loaded with top end talent, and while Canadian’s Shane Wright, Matt Savoie (both 2022) and Connor Bedard (2023) won’t be participating, the talent level from both draft classes are something special.

Here’s a look at 9 players to watch for the annual summer affair:

Matvei Michkov, C (RUS, 2023)
Truly, Michkov is the real deal. People have been saying that for a few years now, especially after scoring 109 points in 26 games in the Russian U-16 league. He’d pot 56 in 56 games as a 16-year-old in the U-20 division – that’s a two-point jump over Nikita Kucherov, the player with the previous best point total from a 16-year-old in the MHL. Kucherov would later become an NHL MVP, for what it’s worth. Michkov had one of the best U-18 tournaments ever witnessed a few months back with 12 goals and 16 points, easily making him the tournament MVP after a silver-medal run. Whether it’s his lacrosse goals on a consistent basis or his ability to just dominate any shift against older competition, Michkov is as elite as they come for his age – and he might not even be better than Canada’s Connor Bedard at this point. Michkov is a top prospect for 2023 but is signed to a KHL deal until 2026, so it’ll be a while until he’s ready. But once he is, watch out, folks.

Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW (RUS, 2022)
Miroshnichenko was getting hyped up back when he was just 12 years old. At 17, the excitement about his game remains and he continues to shine as one of the most promising young prospects out of Russia in some time. While Matvei Michkov received more attention in Texas a few months ago, Miroshnichenko had six goals and eight points in his first major event with the Russian U-18 team. In fact, at every level Miroshnichenko has played at internationally, he has been one of Russia’s leading scorers, even as an underaged forward. Miroshnichenko is one of the best skaters in this tournament and at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he actually does a solid job of using his size to win puck battles. If you give him room to shoot, he’ll make you pay.

Simon Nemec, D (SVK, 2022)
At this point, Nemec is almost a shoo-in to go in the top five of the NHL draft The 6-foot-1 blueliner played heavy minutes with HK Nitra in the top Slovak league and got some top-pairing opportunities with Slovakia’s men’s team prior to the World Championship. A kid getting a chance to play with men is always a big deal and while he was eased into action more near the end, Nemec didn’t look out of place. “He’s a bit undersized, but the skating, hockey sense, mobility and two-way play… he’s a jack-of-all-trades,” a scout told The Hockey News. “He brings that offensive element, he gets back on pucks quickly, and he’s not soft by any means.”

Juraj Slafkovsky, LW (SVK, 2022)
Another piece of Slovakia’s incoming youth invasion, Slafkovsky also played for his nation at the recent men’s World Championship. Standing tall at 6-foot-4, Slafkovsky had a notable performance with Slovakia at the world juniors in Alberta. Slafkovsky only had 13 points in 16 games, but his .81 points-per-game average was second among 2004-born players in the Finnish U-20 league behind fellow 2022 draft prospect Joakim Kemell. The skill is there for Slafkovsky to take over a shift and don’t be shocked if he’s one of the tournament’s top scorers.

Sergei Ivanov, G (RUS, 2022)
One of the top goaltenders from the U-18 World Championship a few months ago, Ivanov already looks like one of the top goaltenders for the 2022 draft. Ivanov led Russia to a silver medal and battled with Ben Gaudreau at the top of all the major statistical categories among goalies. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 157 pounds by the IIHF, Ivanov doesn’t come close to having ideal NHL size, but the athleticism is definitely there. Ivanov’s glove hand is noticeably quick and while his five-hole is a weakness and he tends to fall down more often than other goalies, he battles to make every save until the very end.

Joakim Kemell, RW (FIN, 2022)
Compared to other top prospects making the jump from the U-18s to this event, Kemell had a quiet showing with three goals in seven points. But truly, Kemell is going to be a player you won’t want to ignore over the next week. A product of JYP in the Finnish league, Kemell led all 2004-born players in the Finnish U-20 league with 36 points and a .95 points-per-game average and even scored in his Liiga debut, too. Kemell is a confident puck-carrier that can also really dazzle with the puck from time to time en route to a goal. Kemell will be a key member of Finland’s attack and likely would earn more love if it wasn’t for having Lambert as a teammate.

Emil Järventie, F (FIN, 2023)
Järventie was one of just four 2005-born players to play in the Finnish U-20 league last year but was the only one to play in more than 10 games, recording an impressive eight goals and 13 points. It’s not completely uncommon for U-16 players to play in that league, but his performance was eerily similar to that of Jesper Kotkaniemi at the same age, with both holding a 0.65 points-per-game average. This will be Järventie’s first major international showing for the Finns and he’ll definitely factor into the team’s scoring hopes.

Hunter Brzustewicz, D (USA, 2023)
Other than a three-game stint last year, this will be Brzustewicz’s first real showing of what he can do at the junior level. The University of Michigan commit had an incredible 96 assists and 111 points at the U-15 level with Oakland and is still considered one of the best defensemen for the 2023 draft despite injuries preventing him from true playing action last year. Brzustewicz’s appearance with the team is also notable since USA typically doesn’t send USNTDP players to the event, but it made since given his long time off the ice. He’s an excellent two-way defender that has no issues finding his teammates, and it’s only a matter of time until he shows why he’s considered a top-10 prospect for 2023.

Noah Östlund, C (SWE, 2022)
He might be small in stature at just 5-foot-9, but he certainly doesn’t lack skill. The skilled, intense forward represented Sweden as an underaged player at the recent U-18 World Championship but was quiet – but also just underutilized. He did have a nice season in U-20 league play with 15 points in 10 games, including seven goals, and he’s ready for a more extended look this year with Djurgardens. Ostlund can play center and wing, but as a middleman, he will remind you a bit of Jack Hughes, but he likes to shoot a bit more.

Other notables: Mattias Havelid, D (SWE, 2022 ), Hugo Havelid, G (SWE, 2022), Otto Salin, D (FIN, 2022), Kasper Kulonummi, D (FIN, 2022), Adam Jecho, F (CZE, 2024)