Is retiring of numbers being overdone in Hockey ?
They seem to be retiring numbers for everyone these days. I thought this was supposed to be more an honour for players who truly were outstanding in the history of that franchise ie. Gretzky for the Oilers, or Orr for Boston... Players that are going to be remembered by generations that never even saw them play. Its not supposed to be like getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame which is like a revolving door these days, retiring your number is supposed to be a serious honour... ie. Ken Daneyko. His records were in PIM and for going a record 255 games without a goal. He got his number retired because he was on the team for 3 Stanley Cup wins... The best part of his career ? Daneyko spoke at D.A.R.E. day in Sparta, NJ on May 20, 2005 to discourage alcohol and drug abuse. Daneyko was arrested in Sparta, NJ on May 20, 2006 for driving while intoxicated. What a champion. Technically Bourque played 2 seasons but only one full season if that was what you meant. I'd agree. He was already honored in Boston which is what he will always be remembered as, was a Bruin. I'd agree about the Canadians; You win that many Stanley Cups, you're going to have a few more Legends to honour... You'll have to excuse my spelling for Canadiens; It was a long day... Not every team is guilty. The Colorado Avalanche would probably retire the number for the guy who drives the Zamboni, if he had one...
Public Comments
- In some cases, I think you hit the nail on the head. Its one thing to celebrate your history, but another to retire numbers that are iffy.
- WOW you must not be american
- I think it is overdone a little bit too much. Maybe a time will come in the future when every team has so many numbers retired that players will have to play with only their last names on the back or something.
- The Canadiens may have to issue Roman Numerals or use decimal positions for current players if they retire any more jersey numbers.
- Yes, but to disagree with some I would not say the habs are most guilty. They have a lot retired has they have played a long time and were dominant for a long time. They have many HOFers without the no retired. The problem is when a team like the Av's retire Bourque's no 77 after 1 season.
- Your out of your mind about Daneyko...The guy played his entire career for that organization, and played his #$# off, and won three championships...Its rare for a player to spend his career wit one team, so deserved to have his jersey up there...Its all relative to the franchise, and what that player meant...I mean come on Bourque's jersey is hanging in COLORADO??? WHAT?
- that is a good point. but the red wings have only retired 6 numbers in 80 years. i wouldnt say theyre overdoing it
- Yeah...Ken Daneyko I have heard of him once. Orr, Yzerman, Gretzky are truly the ones who need it. Hull is one who is pushing it I mean he is a legend but..he switches teams before his retirment...it's overdone no doubt. Sooner or later they will all be wearing numbers in the 40's at this rate, no regular numbers will be left
