The Montreal Canadiens wasted no time in announcing what the new jersey numbers are to their newly acquired players, with some twists.
With the departure of Ben Chiarot (traded at the trade deadline during the 2021-22 season), and with captain Shea Weber’s rights traded to Vegas, two new numbers became available, #6 and #8.
So far this off-season, the Canadiens have acquired four new players, and landed the first pick overall in the NHL Draft. And one player switched number!
Juraj Slafkovský
Selected first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Juraj Slafkovský will wear #20 coming into Training Camp. This number was recently worn by current teammate Chris Wideman, who now switched number (more on this below). No, 20 is the most used number in Montreal Canadiens franchise history, 50 players before Slafkovský wore it. And he can become the most successful. Others to have worn it include Pete Mahovlich (1970-78) who wore it the longest. Mark Hunter (1982-85) , and Richard Zednik (2001-2006).
Chris Wideman
Chris Wideman just re-signed for two more years with the Canadiens. And he has decided to switch to a number he wore previously with Ottawa and with Florida; number 6. Which was previously worn by Canadiens captain Shea Weber the last 5 seasons. She Weber’s contract was traded to Vegas during the off-season as he will not play again. Number 6 is a number rich in team history, whereby Toe Blake, famous Head Coach of the Canadiens, wore it as a player for 10 seasons (1938-48). Other notables include Ralph Backstrom, Pierre Mondou, Russ Courtnall, and Oleg Petrov.
Mike Matheson
Mike Matheson, acquired in the Jeff Petry deal, chose number 8, a number he has not worn before in his 7 year NHL career. Number 8, is the second most popular jersey in Canadiens franchise history, as 40 other players have worn it. Including Doug Risebrough, Mark Recchi, and Mike Komisarek. Both numbers 6 and 8 are the only single digit jersey numbers that the Canadiens have not retired.
Kirby Dach
Kirby Dach was acquired on draft day in a trade between three teams which saw the Canadiens trade Alexander Romanov to the NY Islanders. Dach, drafted by Chicago, has only worn #77 in his brief NHL career. Only three other players have worn #77 in Habs history; Pierre Turgeon, Tom Gilbert. And most recently Brett Kulak.
Evgenii Dadonov
Evgenii Dadonov has played for three NHL teams prior to joining the Canadiens. Acquired in a trade for Shea Weber, Evgenii Dadonov has always won # 63. Only three players in Habs history have worn this number previously; Craig Darby, Andreas Engqvist, and Michael Peca