The Real Story Behind Gretzky's #99 Jersey
Published on January 3rd, 2026 12:15 pm ESTWritten By: Dave Manuel
Wayne Gretzky didn't plan to make #99 famous. The number came because his preferred number, #9, wasn't available. As a boy in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky admired Gordie Howe. Howe wore #9 for the Detroit Red Wings. Gretzky copied him throughout youth hockey and junior tournaments.
In 1977, he joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League at 16. The team's #9 sweater was already taken. Coach Muzz MacPherson suggested #19. Gretzky preferred to honor Howe differently. He doubled the number and took #99.
It wasn't meant to be permanent, but the choice stayed. He continued his strong production, scoring 182 points in 64 games. The number became part of his image from that point forward.
When he turned professional with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978, he kept #99. At 17, he was already recognized as one of hockey's top prospects. When the Racers folded after eight games, Gretzky moved to the Edmonton Oilers and retained the same number through the WHA and into the NHL after the 1979 merger.
By his first NHL season, #99 was inseparable from his name. Gretzky posted 137 points and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP. Two years later, he set new records for goals, assists, and points.
Across 20 NHL seasons, Gretzky totaled 894 goals, 1,963 assists, and 2,857 points. No player has approached those numbers.
The NHL retired #99 league-wide in 2000 - the only number ever to receive that status in hockey. It remains a direct reference to Gretzky's era of dominance.
Gretzky didn't wear the number 99 to show how much better he was than anyone else - he did it because he was showing love to his favourite player, Gordie Howe.
