Our mission to preserve the history of pro hockey through the sweater uniform numbers players wear is to objectively come up with a list of the greatest players at each number based on their career performance. This look is based on facts and statistics gathered as of 1/1/2022.
Let us start our journey on identifying the greatest number 18s in NHL/WHL history by looking at the players that wore the number that are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Toe Blake
- Bryan Hextall
- Marcel Pronovost
- Serge Savard
- Leo Boivin
- Keith Allen
- Brian O'Neill
- Al Arbour
- Denis Savard
- Dale Hawerchuk
- Igor Larionov
- Doug Gilmour
- Joe Nieuwendyk
- Brendan Shanahan
- Mark Recchi
- Willie O'Ree
- Marian Hossa
Our next bit of recognition is of the players who have had the number retired by clubs that they played for along with the date of the number being officially retired. For the number 18 there is but one:
- Danny Gare Buffalo Sabres November 22, 2005
- Denis Savard Chicago Blackhawks March 19, 1998
- Serge Savard Montreal Canadiens November 18, 2006
- Dave Taylor Los Angeles Kings April 3, 1995
Brendan Shanahan's Legacy in Ice Hockey
Brendan Shanahan's hockey career was a tapestry woven with dazzling goals, bone-crunching hits, and a controversial edge. From his early days as a prolific scorer to his transformative role as an NHL executive, Shanahan left an indelible mark on the game.Scoring Machine: Drafted third overall in 1987, Shanahan's offensive prowess was undeniable. He amassed over 650 goals in his 21-year career, ranking 13th all-time. His powerful slap shot and relentless work ethic made him a nightmare for goalies.