In the annals of sports, few jersey numbers are as iconic and universally recognized as 99. For hockey fans, it immediately conjures images of Wayne Gretzky, the "Great One," weaving magic on the ice. But while number 99 became synonymous with unparalleled dominance, the story behind how Gretzky came to wear it isn't quite as straightforward as one might think. It wasn't his first choice, and it certainly wasn't an arbitrary pick.
The Unexpected Origin of 99
Growing up, like many aspiring young hockey players, Wayne Gretzky idolized Gordie Howe. Naturally, his dream was to wear Howe's legendary number 9. As a young phenom progressing through various minor hockey leagues, Gretzky often found that number 9 was already claimed by an older player on his team. In one instance, during his brief time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL, he started wearing number 19.
However, it was his coach with the Greyhounds, Muzz MacPherson, who made the fateful suggestion. When Gretzky expressed his desire for number 9 but found it unavailable, MacPherson reportedly proposed, "Why don't you try 99?" The idea was that if one 9 was good, two 9s would be even better. And so, the legend was born. From that moment on, number 99 became Wayne Gretzky's signature.
He carried that number through his record-shattering career with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. The double digits came to represent not just a player, but an era of hockey excellence that may never be replicated. Fittingly, in a gesture that speaks volumes about his impact on the sport, the National Hockey League retired number 99 league-wide upon his retirement, ensuring no other player will ever don the number of the Great One.
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