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 4s in NHL/WHL history by looking at the players that wore the number that are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Newsy Lalonde
- Red Kelly
- Bill Gadsby
- Jean Beliveau
- Bobby Orr
- Allan Stanley
- Leo Boivin
- Guy Lapointe
- Harry Watson
- Ron Francis
- Scott Stevens
- Mark Howe
- Rob Blake
- Kevin Lowe
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 4 they are:
- Barry Ashbee Philadelphia Flyers October 13, 1977
- Jean Beliveau Montreal Canadiens October 9, 1971
- Rob Blake Los Angeles Kings January 17, 2015
- Hap Day Toronto Maple Leafs October 15, 2016
- Red Kelly Toronto Maple Leafs October 15, 2016
- Red Kelly Detroit Red Wings February 1, 2019
- Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay Lightning February 10, 2018
- Kevin Lowe Edmonton Oilers November 5, 2021
- Bobby Orr Boston Bruins January 9, 1979
- Chris Phillips Ottawa Senators February 18, 2020
- Scott Stevens New Jersey Devils February 3, 2006