Is number 69 allowed in the NHL?

Is Number 69 Allowed in the NHL? Yes — But You’ll Rarely See It

Yes, the number 69 is technically allowed in the NHL — and believe it or not, two players have actually worn it during league games. The most notable was forward Mel Angelstad, who briefly suited up for the Washington Capitals in 2004, and Andrew Desjardins of the San Jose Sharks, who donned the number during the 2015–16 season. So, it’s not banned. But you won’t find it on many jerseys, and for good reason.

The stigma around 69 has nothing to do with rules and everything to do with reputation. In North American culture, the number carries obvious cheeky connotations, making it more of a punchline than a badge of honor. In a league full of tough guys, hard checks, and fierce competition, players tend to choose numbers that feel serious — or at least neutral. Wearing 69 risks inviting jokes, locker room ribbing, or even undermining a player’s credibility early in their career.

Imagine a rookie stepping into the NHL press room for the first time, announcing, “I’ll be wearing number 69.” It’s hard to take that moment seriously. As one observer put it, picking that number probably doesn’t give a young player the strongest professional start — and in a sport where image and respect matter, most opt for safer choices like 8, 19, or 94.

Still, the fact that it’s been worn at all adds a quirky footnote to NHL history. While you’re unlikely to see another player brave the number anytime soon, the door isn’t closed — just heavily guarded by locker room laughs and good old-fashioned common sense.