When the Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Nikolaj Ehlers in the summer, it resulted in a number change for teammate Tyson Jost. Jost had worn #27 during his first season with the Hurricanes, but Ehlers’ arrival meant he needed to choose a new number for the 2025-26 season.
Jost typically would have chosen #10 or #17, numbers he wore previously with other teams. However, both numbers are retired by the Hurricanes in honor of Ron Francis and Rod Brind’Amour. Presented with options from the team, Jost selected #43 because its digits add up to seven—a number he prefers.
This situation led to discussions within the team about why players select their jersey numbers. Shayne Gostisbehere said, “It was my number growing up as a kid. I was a big fan of Bobby Orr. Obviously, I didn’t get to see him play, but watching his highlights and being an offensive defenseman, I thought it made sense. When I went to college, I wanted #4, but it was taken, so I picked #14. I’ve always wanted a four in my number. When I came here the first time, I was #41. It was my dad’s old jai alai number, so it worked for me. It was #14 reversed. My first number in Philly was #53, and that was just a training camp number that I’d stuck with. When I came back here, Spencer Martin had #41, and this was the first time in my career that #4 was not retired or available, so I jumped at it.”
Jalen Chatfield explained his association with his current number: “There’s no specific reason. Nick Lidstrom wore it, and he was probably my favorite defenseman growing up, but I didn’t pick #5. It was just kind of given to me in Utica. I went to #63 in Vancouver and then #64 when I came here. But when I went to the Chicago Wolves (AHL), they gave me #5 again. We won the championship there, and I felt good wearing #5. I’ve just stuck with it and it’s worked out.”
Mike Reilly shared how availability influenced his decision: “I’d been #2 in New York the last couple of years, and I was #5 in college. #5 is taken and #2 is retired. I wore #4 growing up, but that’s Shayne Gostisbehere’s. So most of the numbers I’ve usually worn were taken.” He chose “#6” after recalling using it during international tournaments.
Jordan Staal has consistently worn “#11”, saying: “My dad always wore #12, and Eric wore #12 as a kid. So I decided to take the next closest number…”
K’Andre Miller transitioned from “#9” to “#19” due to availability issues during high school and professional play: “I always grew up wearing the #9… once I got to high school… switched over to 19… when drafted by New York… went with 79 because it obviously looked similar… when [I] came here… wanted to go back to college number.”
Other players referenced family connections or personal preferences behind their choices:
– Alexander Nikishin wears “#21” because it’s part of his birth date.
– Logan Stankoven calls “#22” “double 11,” referencing admiration for his cousin.
– Seth Jarvis credits basketball player Kobe Bryant as inspiration for choosing “#24.”
– Sean Walker adapted from previous numbers based on availability.
– Nikolaj Ehlers said: “Because of my dad and brother…my dad used to play with it…and now my brother does for my hometown team.”
– William Carrier connects “#28” with his brother’s birthday.
– Frederik Andersen kept “#31” after receiving it by chance early in his NHL career.
– Andrei Svechnikov chose “#37,” following his brother’s example.
– Jordan Martinook stayed with “#48” after family members bought jerseys bearing that number.
Some decisions were practical; Eric Robinson accepted “#50,” noting its consistent availability throughout teams: “They didn’t ask me what I wanted; they just gave me a number.” Pyotr Kochetkov found significance in adding digits (“five plus two still equals seven”) while Jackson Blake simply retained what he received at development camp.
Cayden Primeau connected emotionally with choosing “#55”: “…my grandfather isn’t doing too well…he has a 55 chain…having a piece of him…is cool.”
Taylor Hall moved away from former favorites (#4 or#9) due to retirements on new teams before settling on”#71″: “…thought#71 looked fast…it fits me.” Jaccob Slavin accepted”#74″ upon joining Carolina after growing up wearing”#7″.
Mark Jankowski linked”#77″ back mathematically (“7+7=14”) as an alternative when former numbers were unavailable elsewhere.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi humorously cited golf—”#82″ matching his best score at one point—and family influence regarding alternate choices.
Players’ stories show how jersey numbers reflect personal history or are shaped by circumstances like retirements or roster assignments within organizations such as the Carolina Hurricanes.
