Ilya Mikheyev will wear number 65 with the Canucks, the number last worn by Michael DiPietro

Ilya Mikheyev has suited up for 146 NHL games, and for each one, he’s worn the number 65.

And that reportedly won’t change now that he’s a member of the Vancouver Canucks.

The number 65 was last worn by Michael DiPietro, who has found himself the subject of trade rumours after the Canucks reportedly gave his agent permission to help facilitate a trade out of Vancouver.

DiPietro was selected by the Canucks in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and after a stellar rookie season with the Utica Comets in 2019-20, DiPietro struggled to find his footing this year in Abbotsford, after not getting into many games during the pandemic-affected 2021 season.

The Russian-born Mikheyev was the Canucks’ biggest free agent signing this offseason, and the club hopes that he can slot right into their middle six and continue to bring his trademark quickness each and every night for the next four years.

Mikheyev, 27, is coming off his best season to date, as he scored 21 goals and added 11 assists through 53 games while playing on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ third line.