This is a complete list of numbers retired by the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

 (NHL). A retired number is a jersey number that is taken out of circulation by a team as a way of honoring a former member of that team who wore that number.

The first team to retire a number were the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

, who retired Ace Bailey

Ace Bailey

Irvine Wallace "Ace" Bailey was an ice hockey player who competed for the Toronto Maple Leafs during eight seasons, from 1926–1933.-Playing career:...

's #6 on February 14, 1934, prior to an All-Star game in his honor.

There are currently 96 retired numbers in the NHL. There are also 15 "honoured numbers," all issued by the Toronto Maple Leafs. A further 7 numbers were retired, by the Hartford Whalers

Hartford Whalers

The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 and Quebec Nordiques

Quebec Nordiques

The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...

, but upon the relocation of the two teams the numbers were put back into circulation. By comparison, the Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....

 continue to honor the numbers retired when the franchise was the Winnipeg Jets.

Only one number has been retired league-wide. Upon the retirement of Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

, it was announced that no other player would again wear his number, 99. The Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

 and Los Angeles Kings

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 have also separately retired Gretzky's number. In addition, the number 66 used by Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...

 of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 had not been worn by any player in the league since his retirement and was generally considered to be 'unofficially retired' until T. J. Brodie

T. J. Brodie

T. J. Brodie is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a fourth round selection of the Flames at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft...

 began wearing it for the Calgary Flames during the 2010-2011 season.

Upon joining the league in 2000, the Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

 had a ceremony retiring #1 from circulation as a tribute to the fans.

Four numbers have been retired by the same team in honor of two different players: number 12 by the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 for Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer

Yvan Cournoyer

Yvan Serge "The Roadrunner" Cournoyer is a retired Canadian hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1979. Cournoyer was born in Drummondville, Quebec. He was nicknamed "The Roadrunner" due to his small size and blazing speed, which he...

, number 16 by the Montreal Canadiens for Elmer Lach

Elmer Lach

Elmer James Lach is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. He was part of the Punch line, along with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake. He led the league in scoring twice, and was awarded the Hart Memorial...

 and Henri Richard

Henri Richard

Joseph Henri Richard is a former professional ice hockey player who played centre with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1955 to 1975...

, number 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 for Pierre Pilote

Pierre Pilote

Joseph Albert Pierre Paul Pilote is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. After playing junior hockey for the St. Catharines Teepees in the Ontario Hockey Association, Pilote played minor professional hockey for the Buffalo Bisons in the American Hockey League. Pilote played 890 games in...

 and Keith Magnuson

Keith Magnuson

Keith Arlen Magnuson was a professional ice hockey defenceman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who played in the National Hockey League between 1969 and 1979...

, and number 9 by the New York Rangers

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 for Andy Bathgate

Andy Bathgate

Andrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...

 and Adam Graves

Adam Graves

Adam Graves is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...

.

Only six players have had their number retired by two different teams:

• Bobby Hull
  Bobby Hull
  Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
  
   - Chicago Blackhawks
  Chicago Blackhawks
  The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
  
   and Winnipeg Jets
• Gordie Howe
  Gordie Howe
  Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
  
   - Detroit Red Wings
  Detroit Red Wings
  The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
  
   and Hartford Whalers
  Hartford Whalers
  The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
  
   (also retired, by the Houston Aeros--which makes him the only player with three of these honours)
• Wayne Gretzky
  Wayne Gretzky
  Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
  
   - Edmonton Oilers
  Edmonton Oilers
  The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
  
   and Los Angeles Kings
  Los Angeles Kings
  The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
  
   (also retired league-wide)
• Ray Bourque
  Ray Bourque
  Raymond Jean "Ray" Bourque is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League . Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and...
  
   - Boston Bruins
  Boston Bruins
  The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
  
   and Colorado Avalanche
  Colorado Avalanche
  The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
  
  
• Mark Messier
  Mark Messier
  Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
  
   - New York Rangers
  New York Rangers
  The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
  
   and Edmonton Oilers
  Edmonton Oilers
  The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
  
  
• Patrick Roy
  Patrick Roy
  Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
  
   - Colorado Avalanche
  Colorado Avalanche
  The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
  
   and Montreal Canadiens
  Montreal Canadiens
  The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
  
  

Retired numbers

Name	Team	Number	Date	Ref

}
| 12
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 6
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| 16
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 5
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 22
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|-
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|
| 77
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|-
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| 77
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|-
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| 21
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|-
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| 17
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 5
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|-
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| 16
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 12
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 10
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|-
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| 16
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|-
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| 29
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 35
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|-
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| 24
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|-
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| 8
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|-
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| 21
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|-
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| 10
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|-
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| 31
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|-
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| 23
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|-
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| 18
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|-
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| 11
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 5
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 8
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 99
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|-
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| 99
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|-
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| 99
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 2
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|-
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| 10
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 2
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|
|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 16
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|-
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| 32
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|-
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| 17
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 10
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|-
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| 16
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|-
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| 5
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|-
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| 2
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|-
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| 66
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|-
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| 16
|

|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 2
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 19
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 11
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|-
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| 11
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|-
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| 21
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 12
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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| 19
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|-
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| 8
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|-
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| 27
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|-
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| 23
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|-
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| 24
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 11
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|-
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| 3
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|-
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| 8
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 5
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|-
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| 16
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 35
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|-
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| 14
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|-
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| 19
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|-
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| 20
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|-
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| 33
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|-
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| 33
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|-
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| 19
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|-
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| 18
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|-
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| 18
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 15
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|-
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| 2
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|-
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| 31
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|-
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| 12
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|-
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| 25
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 11
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|-
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| 18
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|-
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| 19
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|-
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| 30
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|-
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| 30
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|-
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| 2
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|-
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| 19
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|}

Honoured numbers

Name	Team	Number	Date

}
| 10
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|-
|-
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| 10
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 1
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|-
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| 7
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|-
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|
| 17
|
|-
|
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| 9
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 93
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|-
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|
| 7
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|-
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| 4
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|-
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| 9
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|-
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| 27
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|-
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| 21
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|-
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| 27
|
|}

Former retired numbers

Name	Team	Number	Date

}
| 16
|
|-
|
|
| 9
|
|-
|
|
| 2
|
|-
|
|
| 19
| 1979
|-
|
|
| 26
|
|-
|
|
| 8
|
|-
|
|
| 3
|
|}

Future retired numbers

Name	Team	Number	Date

}
| 27
|
|}