Goalie Numbers?

[WMUCarGuy 8]

Is there a reason or a rule as to why almost every goalie wears a number in the 30s?

[CenterIce 83]

Is there a reason or a rule as to why almost every goalie wears a number in the 30s?

Historically, most teams would give out numbers based on your position. Defensemen usually get single digits and low teens. Forwards usually get teens to 20's. Goalies originally would get #1, but with that number retired a lot, goalies usually get upper 20's and low 30's. It is just following tradition, but as you can see, a lot of different numbers are being worn, now.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

No. 1 is obvious in most sports for a goalie, just not for Wings goalies.

2-10 is traditionally for defencemen. 10-28 for forwards and defense. 29-39 for goalies. 40-99 for forwards and defense. There are goalies with numbers in the 20s, 40s and 60s.

Just a tradition.

Edited December 27, 2009 by Wings_Dynasty

[Shady Ultima 40]

I never actually knew the reason, as I knew most either wore 1, or high 20s, or low 30s.

Also, the recent popularity of 20 is likely because many of these players watched Tretiak, who wore 20.

[eva unit zero 271]

What has been said is basically on the mark regarding numbers; however one specific has been left off.

Typically the starting goaltender would get the #1, typically the regular defense would be from 2-9, and the regular forwards would wear in the teens to the low 20s. The high 20s were reserved for when teams would have to bring in extra players due to injury, and the backup goaltender would wear between 30 and 35.

With #1 being retired more and more often, the starter was then required to pick a number in the 30s. After that, it's basically been tradition as mentioned. Obviously there have been exceptions to the rule even when you go back a fair distance; such as Ted Lindsay and Gordie Howe wearing single digits.

But a primary reason for the numbers based on position was so that players could immediately be recognized as a forward or defenseman, even when the line of sight was not great. You always knew that #4 or #6 were defensemen, while #13 was a forward.

It wasn't until much more recently that players started wearing numbers above 40, which largely stemmed from players wanting to wear a specific number that was unavailable.

Reversing it such as Hossa did earlier in his career, switching from 18 to 81 was a major factor in the surge of high numbers.

Choosing a similar number, such as Belfour switching to 20 when he moved to Dallas, has been a very common sight.

Occasionally a player would make an unusual switch, such as Wayne Gretzky changing from 9 to 99.

Or perhaps the player would simply choose an unrelated number, or one he had used previously in his career.

Edited December 27, 2009 by eva unit zero

[Tane 17]

Back when Numbers were First introduced, Your Number assigned you to your Bed on the Train. The Lower numbers on the bottom, higher Numbers on top. Goalie Got 1, And then Players Just wanted A number Low enough to get a good Bed. 2-29 was reserved for Players and Most Spare/Backup goalies would get 30. The highest number. Since the Back up Might not see a single minute of ice the Entire Season, Who cares how you treated him.