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9 NHL legends who had their jersey number retired by two teams ft. Gretzky, Messier and more
Professional athletes who have their jersey numbers retired by their respective teams can consider it one of the highest honors they receive. However, it takes an exceptionally talented player to have his number retired by two separate franchises.
Nearly every National Hockey League franchise has at least one jersey number retired in honor of the player who wore it during his playing days, with some teams having over a dozen past players who have received the recognition.
But only nine players in NHL history have their number retired by more than one franchise.
#9. Red Kelly
The late Red Kelly suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings during his Hall of Fame career and was honored by both franchises by having his number retired.
An eight-time Stanley Cup champion, Kelly appeared in over 1,300 NHL games, registering 281 goals and 542 assists while also notably serving as a member of the Canadian Parliament.
Kelly passed away in 2019 at the age of 91.
#8. Tim Horton
While younger generations most closely associate the name Tim Horton with the bakery/coffee chain of restaurants he co-founded, he's most known to more mature fans as one of the top players in NHL history.
He spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs before stints with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres.
His No. 7 was retired by the Leafs, while his No. 2 has since been retired by the Sabres. Tragically, Horton died due to injuries sustained in a car accident in 1974; he wasn't wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
#7. Scott Niedermayer
Best known for his smooth skating and high hockey IQ, Scott Niedermayer played for both the New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks during his Hall of Fame career. His No. 27 is retired by both franchises.
He spent the first portion of his career with the Devils, winning the Stanley Cup three times and earning numerous personal accolades before deciding to join the Ducks in 2005 for a chance to play with his brother Rob.
#6. Ray Bourque
A Hall of Famer, Bourque played two decades with the Boston Bruins and set multiple NHL scoring records for a defenseman while also winning the Norris Trophy five times.
In 2001, Bourque finally won the Stanley Cup in his final game as a Colorado Avalanche player. Captain Joe Sakic immediately passing the Cup to Bourque after receiving it from Commissioner Gary Bettman stands out as one of the iconic moments in League history.
Both teams retired his No. 77 upon his retirement from the game in 2001.
#5. Patrick Roy
Regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history, Roy was drafted by his hometown Montreal Canadiens in 1984 and would go on to help them win a pair of Stanley Cup championships; he earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP on both occasions.
Upon his bitter split with the Canadiens in December of 1995, he became a key part of the Colorado Avalanche, helping them to the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for a third time as part of the 2001 win.
His No. 33 was retired by the Avalanche shortly after his retirement in 2003, followed by the Canadiens in 2008.
#4. Bobby Hull
Nicknamed the "Golden Jet", Hull played for both the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets during his career which included several personal accolades and the Stanley Cup in 1961.
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, Hull's No. 9 jersey was retired by both the Blackhawks and Jets, and later, the Phoenix Coyotes (who were the original Jets before relocating in 1996).
#3. Gordie Howe
Nicknamed "Mr. Hockey" and one of the greatest players in history, Howe carved out a legendary career with the Detroit Red Wings which included 26 straight seasons in the Motor City and four Stanley Cup wins as well as several individual awards.
He also later played for the Hartford Whalers during his NHL career which spanned 1,767 games. His iconic No. 9 jersey was retired by the Red Wings in 1972, followed by the Whalers in 1981.
He passed away in 2016 at the age of 88.
#2. Mark Messier
Known as one of the great captains in NHL history, Messier was part of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty that won the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and 1990.
Upon Wayne Gretzky's departure from Edmonton in 1988, Messier assumed the Oilers' captaincy, a role he'd later have with the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.
As Rangers captain in 1994, he led them to what was the sixth Stanley Cup win of his career and the first for the franchise in 54 years. His No. 11 is retired by both the Oilers and Rangers.
#1. Wayne Gretzky
Regarded as the greatest player in NHL history, Gretzky holds the distinction of having his No. 99 retired by all 32 clubs; the decision to retire his number League wide was made immediately upon his retirement in 1999.
His jersey numbers also hangs from the rafters in the respective venues of the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.
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