Johnny Hockey’s Legacy: Why The Number 13 Will Should Be Retired League Wide

Last night Cam Atkinson took what could be the final lap any player ever takes in a number 13 Blue Jackets jersey, and it could be one of the last times anyone gets to wear the number. Johnny Gaudreau, a player beloved by every hockey fan left his mark on the game in sensational fashion, and there is only one way left to truly honour his name.

There is only one number which is retired league-wide across the NHL, 99 for the great one, Wayne Gretzky, but soon there could be one more. It is a sure thing that after the passing of the great Johnny Gaudreau, the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets will honour his name and impact by retiring his number 13. Last night, Cam Atkinson, somewhat a Blue Jackets legend was given the honour to represent his number 13 for the final time after retiring, but now, 13 will likely head to the rafters to honour Johnny Hockey.

Gaudreau who was one of those players who was liked by everybody, his story alone, a small kid who made it big, a guy who played hockey the right way, and put his own unique twist on the game, making him so fun to watch. Gaudreau was one of the league's best players, and was often given the privilege to represent his country, the United States on an international scale, but after his tragic passing last year, retiring his number 13 is the best way to honour his memory in the NHL.

As far as retiring numbers league-wide, the NHL have only done it once, and rightly so. Retiring the number 99 for Wayne Gretzky, the guy who holds 61 NHL records was more than enough to etch his name and on ice identity in history, but 13 should be a number that is etched in a different way, a way to honour a guy who gave his all to the game, and for a guy the league will never forget.

In a couple of years it is likely that we see 87 and 8 be numbers that could head to the rafters league-wide, but 13 is a different type of retiring which is something the NHL owe Johnny Hockey, and something everybody would understand. Players like Cole Caufield themselves have changed their numbers to 13, solely to honour Johnny, however what would really be a service to his career would be to hang the number up, and remember his name properly and with honour after a tragedy the NHL has never seen before to a guy as loved as him.