Wayne Gretzky Number 99: The Story, Legacy, And Unmatched History Behind Hockey's Ultimate Jersey
In the history of professional sports, few numbers carry the legendary weight of Wayne Gretzky's number 99. Known universally as "The Great One," Gretzky turned a simple two-digit jersey number into a global symbol of athletic perfection during his transcendent NHL career. Today in 2026, Gretzky's number 99 remains one of only three jersey numbers retired across an entire major North American sports league, standing as an untouchable monument in ice hockey history.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Jersey Number | #99 |
| NHL Teams Worn With | Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers |
| League-Wide Retirement Date | February 6, 2000 |
| Inspiration for Number | Gordie Howe (#9) |
| Career Points Record | 2,857 points (894 goals, 1,963 assists) |
| Status in 2026 | Permanently retired league-wide across all 32 NHL franchises |
How a Junior Hockey Dilemma Created the Legendary Number 99
Before Wayne Gretzky wore #99 on the world stage, he grew up idolizing Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, who famously wore number 9. Gretzky naturally wore #9 throughout his youth hockey days in Ontario. However, when he joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1977, veteran teammate Brian Gualazzi already owned the number 9 sweater.
Greyhounds coach Muzz MacPherson suggested that Gretzky wear two nines instead of one. Although Gretzky was initially reluctant to wear a unconventional double-digit jersey, he embraced number 99 during the 1977–78 OHL season. He dominated the league with 182 points in just 64 games, establishing a brand that followed him to the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.
The Historic League-Wide Retirement of Jersey Number 99
Following Gretzky's retirement after the 1998–99 NHL season, the league took unprecedented action to honor his unmatched contributions to the sport. On February 6, 2000, during the 50th NHL All-Star Game at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that Wayne Gretzky's number 99 would be retired across all teams in the league.
This historic decision made Gretzky the first player in NHL history to receive a league-wide jersey retirement. To date, only two other elite athletes in North American professional sports share a similar league-wide honor:
- Jackie Robinson (#42) – Retired by Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1997.
- Bill Russell (#6) – Retired by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2022.
No future NHL player will ever wear #99 again, ensuring that Gretzky's iconic digit remains singularly linked to his 61 individual NHL records.
Wayne Gretzky Signed Rangers Authentic CCM Jersey (Gretzky) | Pristine ...
The Enduring Impact of Number 99 in 2026
In 2026, Gretzky's #99 continues to transcend ice hockey, serving as universal shorthand for individual dominance across pop culture and sports analytics. Modern hockey superstars operate in a league heavily shaped by Gretzky's offensive revolutions, yet the reverence around jersey #99 remains completely sacrosanct. Emerging players across junior leagues understand that double-nines remain strictly off-limits.
Furthermore, game-worn memorabilia featuring Wayne Gretzky's number 99 continues to set milestone records in the sports collectibles market. Original Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings jerseys bearing the iconic double-nines routinely command multi-million-dollar bids at international auctions. As the NHL expands its global footprint through 2026, the origin and legacy of number 99 stand firm as a defining pillar of sports history.
