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 2s in NHL/WHL history by looking at the players that wore the number that are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Jacques Laperriere
- Brad Park
- Al Arbour
- Viacheslav Fetisov
- Al MacInnis
- Scott Stevens
- Brian Leetch
- Mark Howe
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 2 they are:
- Doug Harvey Montreal Canadiens October 26, 1985
- Tim Horton Buffalo Sabres January 5, 1996
- Mark Howe Philadelphia Flyers March 6, 2012
- Brian Leetch New York Rangers January 24, 2008
- Al MacInnis St. Louis Blues April 9, 2006
- Eddie Shore Boston Bruins April 1, 1947
- Glen Wesley Carolina Hurricanes February 17, 2009
Jacques Laperriere
Born November 22, 1941, in Rouyn, Quebec, was Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman Jacques Laperrière. This legend was a four-time NHL All-Star and hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup five times as a member of the great Montreal Canadiens teams of the 1960s & '70s. Jacques was good right out of the gate, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy for top NHL rookie and being named the first Rook to make the ALl-Star team since WWII in 1964. Laperrière would go into coaching, helping teams win a couple more championships.
Eddie Shore
Born November 25, 1902, in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, was Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman Eddie Shore. This legend was a four-time Hart Award winner and an eight-time NHL All-Star. His Hart Trophies are the most by any defenseman ever and are overshadowed by only Gordie Howe's and Wayne Gretzky's winnings. "The Edmonton Express." was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players in history. Shore liked to rough it up on the ice and once set a record of 165 penalty minutes one season.
Tim Horton
Born January 12, 1930, in Cochrane, Ontario, was Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman Tim Horton. This legend spent 24 seasons in the NHL playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL players, and his number 7 Jersey was retired in his and King Clancy's names.
