Many NHL records stand the test of time, with the greatest players clearly defined. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr are at the pinnacle, with others following. Awards even bear names of legends, like the Maurice Richard Trophy for the league's top scorer.
Teams retire jersey numbers to honor standout players. This tradition started when the Toronto Maple Leafs retired Ace Bailey’s #6 in 1934. Wayne Gretzky’s #99 is universally retired across the NHL. Mario Lemieux’s #66 remains unofficially retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Beyond these, the #9 is the most frequently retired number, adorning the rafters for nine different teams ten times. It's often called the greatest number due to the numerous superstars who wore it. We'll examine the best #9s in NHL history, given its popularity.
Notable Retired Players Who Wore #9
Lanny McDonald – Calgary Flames
Lanny McDonald, with his distinctive mustache, scored 544 goals and 1,090 points in 1,111 games for the Leafs, Rockies, and Flames. He won a Stanley Cup with the Flames.
Another player, Bucyk, recorded 597 goals and 1,472 points over his 1,664-game career, winning two Stanley Cups with the Bruins.
Paul Kariya – Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Paul Kariya had a remarkable career despite never winning the Stanley Cup. He amassed 402 goals and 989 points in 989 games across 15 NHL seasons. The Ducks should consider retiring or honoring his number.
Bernie Nicholls – Los Angeles Kings
Bernie Nicholls played for six teams over 18 seasons, participating in 13 postseasons without a Cup victory. He scored 475 goals and 1,209 points in 1,127 games.
Top Current #9s
A notable player, the 15th overall pick in 2011 by the New York Rangers, has built an impressive NHL resume. He has scored 277 goals and 762 points in 939 games. He was a key player for the Rangers for six seasons, including two 20-goal campaigns, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017-18. After only 94 games with them, a salary cap issue led to a trade to the Vancouver Canucks. This is where his story became compelling.
Miller's debut season with the Canucks was significant. He was consistently their top performer and quickly became a leader for their developing young core. His career-high 32 goals and 99 points led the team, making him their most productive forward since Henrik and Daniel Sedin were stars. He was traded back to the Rangers during the 2024-25 season.
Jack Eichel – Vegas Golden Knights
The center from North Chelmsford, MA, is a crucial player for the Golden Knights. He is an elite contributor, a role he fulfilled often without significant support during his time with the Buffalo Sabres. He was frequently the primary reason to watch Sabres games. As the team's highest-paid player and captain, he was the face of the franchise and a recognizable figure in the league. The Sabres traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, where he helped them win the 2023 Stanley Cup.
Since being drafted second overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, behind Connor McDavid, Eichel has scored 266 goals and recorded 432 assists in 698 games.
Ivan Provorov – Columbus Blue Jackets
Ivan Provorov, drafted seventh overall in 2015, has become a significant player for the Flyers and now the Blue Jackets. His career statistics are impressive, with 86 goals and 227 assists in 10 years.
The Russian defenseman is recognized as one of the league's top talents, possessing a powerful shot and intelligent decision-making that dedicated fans often appreciate.
Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators
Before his NHL debut, the Nashville Predators acquired Filip Forsberg in a trade that sent Martin Erat and Michael Latta to the Washington Capitals. He has since become the Predators' most consistent and potent scorer, achieving at least 20 goals in all but one full season, including five 30-goal and two 40-goal campaigns.
In 862 NHL games, he has scored 358 goals and accumulated 756 points. He played a vital role in the Predators' 2017 Stanley Cup Final run, contributing 16 points in 22 games. He is also known for successfully executing a lacrosse-style goal against the Edmonton Oilers on January 14, 2020.
Clayton Keller – Utah Mammoth
Clayton Keller has quickly established himself as one of the league's promising young players. The Utah forward is currently the fourth-highest scorer from the 2016 NHL Draft class, which also features Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews, and Matthew Tkachuk.
He has demonstrated significant durability alongside his scoring ability. Despite his smaller frame, he has not missed a game in his NHL career. His performance has earned him an eight-year contract extension, ensuring his presence in Utah for years to come.
The 5 Best #9s in NHL History
Often considered the best American player ever, Mike Modano won a Stanley Cup with the Stars. He scored 617 goals and 1,520 points in 1,675 games, playing during a period of declining scoring. Modano was the first overall pick by the Minnesota North Stars in 1988 and debuted in the 1989 playoffs.
His most successful individual season was 1993-94, with 50 goals. Modano holds American records for most goals, points, playoff points, and games played in NHL history.
4: Glenn Anderson – Edmonton Oilers
Glenn Anderson played wing on a legendary line with Gretzky and Messier. In 1,354 games, he scored 591 goals and 1,313 points, winning six Stanley Cups. Anderson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and had his #9 retired by the Edmonton Oilers that same year. Drafted 69th overall by Edmonton in 1979, he played 16 NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs, Blues, Rangers, and Oilers.
3: Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks
Bobby Hull played 1,182 NHL games, scoring 672 goals and 1,299 points for the Blackhawks. He also coached the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA concurrently.
He won one Stanley Cup. Hull earned three Art Ross Trophies for most points, two Hart Memorial Trophies as league MVP, and was selected to the First All-Star Team 10 times. Over his 23 playing seasons, Hull was one of the league's elite and one of the few players to compete across four decades.
2: Maurice Richard – Montreal Canadiens
Considered one of the NHL's greatest goal scorers, Maurice Richard scored 626 goals in 1,111 games for the Canadiens, winning eight Stanley Cups. Richard was a First Team All-Star seven times and won the Hart Trophy in 1946-47.
He also received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian Athlete of the Year in 1957. Richard was known for his intimidating stare on the ice. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, one year after retiring.
1: Gordie Howe – Detroit Red Wings
Gordie Howe played an extraordinary 26 NHL seasons, plus six in the WHA. Howe accumulated 869 goals and 2,010 points in 1,924 games. He is widely respected as one of hockey's all-time greats. Howe's career is marked by numerous seemingly unbreakable records.
He holds records for the most regular-season games played (1,767), most games with one team (1,687), and tied for most NHL seasons (26). He also holds the record for most consecutive 20-goal seasons with 22, from 1949 to 1971. As a right-winger, he has the most goals (801) and points (1,850) in history. Howe has the most All-Star Game appearances with 23. He was also the oldest player in NHL history at 52, a record unlikely to be surpassed.
