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 7s in NHL/WHL history by looking at the players that wore the number that are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Howie Morenz
- Joe Malone
- Doug Bentley
- Max Bentley
- Ted Lindsay
- Bryan Hextall
- Tim Horton
- Rod Gilbert
- Norm Ullman
- Bobby Hull
- Phil Esposito
- Bill Barber
- Lanny McDonald
- Joe Mullen
- Brian Kilrea
- Paul Coffey
- Dick Duff
- Igor Larionov
- Chris Chelios
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 7 they are:
- Bill Barber Philadelphia Flyers October 11, 1990
- Neal Broten Dallas Stars February 7, 1998
- King Clancy Toronto Maple Leafs October 15, 2016
- Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers October 18, 2005
- Phil Esposito Boston Bruins December 3, 1987
- Rod Gilbert New York Rangers October 14, 1979
- Tim Horton Toronto Maple Leafs October 15, 2016
- Yvon Labre Washington Capitals November 7, 1981
- Ted Lindsay Detroit Red Wings November 10, 1991
- Rick Martin Buffalo Sabres November 15, 1995
- Howie Morenz Montreal Canadiens November 2, 1937
Lanny McDonald
Born February 16, 1953, in Hanna, Alberta, was Hockey Hall of Fame Right Wing Lanny McDonald. This legend was a key player on the Calgary Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup championship team. He was a two-time All-Star and a four-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner. Before becoming a Calgary skater, McDonald was on the roster of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche.
Chris Chelios
Born January 25, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois was Hockey hall of Fame Defenseman, Chris Chelios. This legend was a three-time Stanley Cup winner and a seven-time All-Star. Chelios was awarded the Norris trophy three-times, the Messier in 2006-07 and made the NHL 100th Anniversary team. Chris dished out 763 assists scoring 185 goals during his brilliant 27-year career in the League. He skated on the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Atlanta Thrashers.
From Parkdale Pond to Hockey Valhalla ‣ Hooley Smith
Reginald Joseph "Hooley" Smith wasn't born into hockey royalty; he clawed his way onto the frozen throne. His journey from Parkdale Pond to the Stanley Cup is a testament to grit, audacious skill, and a temper as fiery as his nickname.Smith's early days were spent honing his talent on the makeshift rink of Toronto's Parkdale neighborhood. His puckhandling, a mesmerizing blend of speed and precision, earned him a place on the junior Parkdale Canoe Club and, soon, the senior Toronto Granites. By 1924, he was gracing the Olympic ice, scoring 18 goals and helping Canada capture gold.
Professional glory awaited. Drafted by the Ottawa Senators, Smith's offensive prowess and fiery spirit electrified the league. He terrorized opponents with his unpredictable rushes, racking up 200 goals in his career and earning a reputation as one of the most feared scorers of his era.
But Hooley wasn't just a goal machine; he was a maestro of the stick fight, his short temper legendary. His 1927 brawl with Boston's Harry Oliver, sparked by a dirty cross-check, led to a month-long suspension and cemented his "bad boy" image. Yet, even his on-ice brawls couldn't diminish his talent.
Smith found a home in Montreal with the Maroons, where he captained the "S Line," a trio of offensive juggernauts feared throughout the NHL. He led them to a Stanley Cup victory in 1935, hoisting the trophy with a characteristically mischievous grin.
His career spanned four teams and 17 seasons, each marked by flashes of brilliance and the occasional fiery outburst. He retired in 1941, leaving behind a legacy as one of his era's most electrifying and controversial players.
Hooley Smith wasn't just a hockey player; he was a character, a rogue prince who defied expectations and carved his path to greatness. His story reminds us that sometimes, the most captivating players aren't just the ones with the most trophies but those who dance on the edge of chaos, captivating us with brilliance and audacity.
