The Legend of #99: Why Wayne Gretzky's Jersey is Untouchable

One Man, One Number, One Unrivaled Legacy. Discover Why Number 99 Hockey's Most Sacred Symbol is Retired Across the Entire NHL.

In the world of sports, numbers often carry weight. A quarterback wearing 12 or a basketball player wearing 23 immediately invites comparisons to the greatest to ever play the game. But in the National Hockey League, there is one number so significant, so heavy with history, that no player is even allowed to choose it. You won't see it on a rookie, and you won't see it on a seasoned veteran.

The number 99 is "untouchable." It belongs to one man: Wayne Gretzky. To wear a Wayne Gretzky jersey today is to wear the ultimate symbol of professional excellence. At Vujersey, we believe that some legends are so large they define the sport itself. Today, we are exploring the fascinating history of the number 99, the 2000 proclamation that led to nhl retired numbers being honored league-wide, and why "The Great One" remains the golden standard for every hockey fan.

The Accidental Icon: How Wayne Gretzky Chose #99

It’s hard to imagine Gretzky wearing any other number, but the most famous digits in hockey were actually a second choice.

The Dream of Wearing Number 9 (Gordie Howe)

Growing up in Ontario, Wayne Gretzky’s idol was the legendary Gordie Howe, who famously wore the number 9 for the Detroit Red Wings. Like every young fan, Gretzky wanted to be just like his hero. Throughout his early years in minor hockey, he wore the number 9 with pride.

Advice from Coach Muzz MacPherson: "Try Two Nines"

The change happened when Gretzky joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. A teammate was already wearing the number 9. After weeks of Gretzky being unhappy with various other numbers, his coach, Muzz MacPherson, suggested a bold idea: "If you can't wear one nine, why not wear two?" Gretzky took the advice, put on #99, and a brand-new legacy was born.

Making an Odd Number Fashionable

At the time, numbers in the 90s were considered strange and "un-hockey-like." Most players stuck to numbers 1 through 30. By choosing 99, Gretzky immediately stood out visually on the ice, matching the extraordinary talent that was about to take the NHL by storm.

The Dynasty Years: The Iconic Blue and Gold 

While he played for several teams, the most iconic image of Gretzky is in the royal blue, orange, and white of the Edmonton Oilers.

Four Stanley Cups in Edmonton

During the 1980s, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships. It was an era of offensive dominance that the league had never seen before and hasn't seen since. The blue and gold #99 jersey became a symbol of a team that was essentially playing a different sport than everyone else.

The Most Dominant Statistical Run in Sports History

Gretzky didn't just break records in Edmonton; he annihilated them. He famously scored 50 goals in just 39 games—a record that many experts believe is truly unbreakable. He scored over 200 points in a single season four separate times. No other player in history has even done it once.

Why the Oilers #99 is a Grail for Collectors

For jersey collectors, the 1980s Oilers home and away sweaters are the absolute "Holy Grails." They represent the peak of Gretzky’s powers and the golden age of the high-scoring NHL. Owning an accurately stitched #99 Oilers throwback is like owning a piece of the sport's foundation.

The Trade That Changed Everything: Taking #99 to Hollywood

In 1988, the unthinkable happened. The greatest player in the world was traded from Canada to the United States.

1988: The Night Canada Wept

The trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings was a cultural earthquake. It remains the most famous trade in the history of professional sports. Canadians were devastated, but for the NHL, it was the start of a massive expansion.

Popularizing Hockey in the Sun Belt

Gretzky made hockey "cool" in California. Suddenly, celebrities were flocking to the Forum to see the Great One. His arrival paved the way for teams in Anaheim, San Jose, Phoenix, and beyond. He proved that hockey could thrive in the desert and the sunshine.

The Sleek Black and Silver Kings Aesthetic

Coinciding with his arrival, the Kings switched to their iconic black, silver, and white color scheme. The Wayne Gretzky jersey in these colors became a massive fashion staple in the late 80s and early 90s, heavily influenced by the emerging streetwear and hip-hop scenes of Los Angeles.

A League-Wide Honor: The History of 

Usually, a team retires a player's number to honor them. But Gretzky's impact was so profound that a single team wasn't enough.

The 2000 All-Star Game Proclamation

On February 6, 2000, during the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, Commissioner Gary Bettman made a historic announcement. He declared that Wayne Gretzky’s number 99 would be retired league-wide.

The Only Player to be Honored by All 32 Teams

Wayne Gretzky remains the only player in the history of the NHL to receive this honor. While Jackie Robinson holds a similar honor in Major League Baseball, Gretzky is the sole individual in hockey whose number is universally unavailable to any player on any roster. It is the ultimate sign of respect for a career that redefined the possibilities of the game.

Comparing Gretzky’s Legacy to Other NHL Greats

While legends like Mario Lemieux (#66) and Bobby Orr (#4) are revered and have their numbers retired by their respective teams, the league-wide retirement of 99 solidifies Gretzky as the undisputed GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

Why Owning a Gretzky #99 is a Rite of Passage for Fans

If you are a hockey fan, your wardrobe isn't complete without a representation of the number 99.

A Symbol of Professional Excellence

Wearing the 99 isn't just about showing loyalty to the Oilers, Kings, or Rangers. It's about acknowledging a standard of excellence. It represents a commitment to being the absolute best in your field.

Styling a Gretzky Throwback for Streetwear

Because the designs he wore were so classic, a Gretzky jersey is incredibly easy to style. Whether it's the bright colors of the Oilers or the sleek silver of the Kings, it pairs perfectly with a hoodie and jeans for a timeless, athletic look.

Finding High-Quality Replicas of the "Great One"

To truly honor the legacy, quality matters. You want a replica that captures the heavy-duty air-knit mesh and the detailed, multi-layered embroidery of the era. It’s an investment in a piece of history that will never go out of style.

The Great One is Forever

Records are made to be broken, but the aura of the 99 jersey is permanent.

Records That May Never Be Broken

Gretzky retired with 61 NHL records. Even as modern superstars like Alex Ovechkin chase his goal-scoring record, Gretzky’s total points record (2,857) remains so far out of reach that it may never be challenged in our lifetime.

Own Your Piece of History at Vujersey

Wayne Gretzky didn't just play hockey; he was the ambassador for the game. He brought it to the masses and played it with a level of intelligence and grace that moved the sport forward. Visit the Vujersey store today to find high-quality, affordable replicas of the most famous Wayne Gretzky jersey designs and wear the number of the Great One with pride.

FAQ: Your Top Questions About Wayne Gretzky and #99

Let's clear up some common questions about the Great One's gear.

Can any NHL player ever wear number 99 again?

No. Since the league-wide retirement in 2000, the number 99 is permanently out of circulation. Any player who was wearing it at the time was allowed to finish their career with it (though none were), but no new player will ever be assigned 99 in the NHL.

What were all the NHL teams Wayne Gretzky played for?

Gretzky played for four NHL franchises during his legendary career: the Edmonton Oilers (1979-1988), the Los Angeles Kings (1988-1996), the St. Louis Blues (1996), and the New York Rangers (1996-1999).

Did Gretzky ever wear a number other than 99?

In the NHL, no. He wore 99 for his entire career. However, he wore #9 for Team Canada in the 1981 Canada Cup as a tribute to Gordie Howe, and he briefly wore #11 during a short stint in international play before fully committing to 99.

Where is the best place to find an authentic-style 

To find a jersey that correctly replicates the 1980s or 90s aesthetic, look for retailers like Vujersey that specialize in high-quality retro replicas. Focus on details like the correct font for the nameplate and the heavy-weight "tackle twill" numbers that give the jersey its premium, historic feel.