The Vancouver Canucks unveiled the jersey numbers for four of their new players on Saturday afternoon. Naturally, we thought it most appropriate to ask, who were the last Canucks to wear their numbers?

Although technically not a free agent signing, Brendan Gallagher had to pick a new number when the Canucks traded for him at the end of June. The lifetime Montreal Canadien wore number 11 with both the Habs and with his junior Vancouver Giants, but the number 11 is unofficially retired in honour of Wayne Maki in Vancouver (depending on which former captain you ask, of course).

Gallagher has elected to go with jersey number 7 this season, in honour of his late mother, Della. From The Province’s Steve Ewen:

“That was always Della’s favourite number, Gallagher will tell you. He even wore No. 7 for a few years in minor hockey.”

Hard to think of a better reason to wear a number than that! The last Canuck to wear number seven: PO Joseph, who remains a free agent. Before that, Carson Soucy.

Jamie Oleksiak, the towering blueliner the Canucks added later in the day on July 1st, will wear number 4.

Oleksiak’s path to the Canucks opened up almost immediately after the Canucks traded fellow left-shot defenceman Marcus Pettersson to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2030 first-round pick. The Canucks replaced the salary loss from the Pettersson trade shortly after by signing Oleksiak to a two-year, $5 million AAV contract. As we noted in our “grading the signings” article, this move successfully replaced a long-term contract with a more physically imposing defender on a shorter, team-friendly deal. The last Canuck to wear number four: Madison Bowey (and Jordie Benn before that).

We’ve spent plenty of time writing about Luke Schenn already. In his third go around with the Canucks, he’ll wear the same number he’s worn the previous two times: Jersey number 2. 

The last Canuck to wear number two: Luke Schenn (and Dan Hamhuis before that).

26-year-old Paul Cotter became an unrestricted free agent after going unqualified by the New Jersey Devils ahead of free agency. The Canucks quickly handed Cotter a low-risk, one-year contract worth $2.15 million. Cotter as a sturdy, physical depth bet who could be a perfect trade chip for the Canucks if he seizes the opportunity he’ll get in Vancouver.

He will try to do that while wearing number 47 this upcoming season. The last Canuck to wear 47: Noah Juulsen.

Speaking of jerseys and jersey numbers, I’ve got a question for Memorabilia Monday… what’s your favourite/most prized Canucks jersey in your personal collection? Let me know in the comments below or use the contact form in the top right of the website!

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