Boston’s four newest Bruins have picked their new numbers, according to the team’s official roster.
In the case of backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak, it’s more of the same, as the netminder will keep his No. 41.
But for everybody else, it’s a new adventure on their arms and back.
The 33-year-old Halak has worn No. 41 since breaking into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens back in 2006-07. In fact, Halak has donned No. 41 in all previous NHL stints in St. Louis as a member of the Blues, with the Washington Capitals, and the New York Islanders most recently. The 5-foot-11 Halak has also worn No. 41 at the international level for Slovakia.
Halak comes to the Bruins after four seasons with the Islanders, where he posted a 88-65-19 record and .913 save percentage in 177 appearances. Halak posted a 20-26-6 record with a .908 save percentage and 3.19 goals against average last season.
Joonas Kemppainen, who might honestly be the most forgettable Bruin in this modern era, was the last Bruin to wear No. 41.
Defenseman John Moore, meanwhile, will be switching to No. 27. That’s because the No. 2 that Moore wore with the Devils is retired in Boston for Eddie Shore. Same for two of Moore’s other prior NHL numbers — his No. 7 is retired for Phil Esposito and No. 4 is retired for the legendary Bobby Orr — while the No. 17 he donned for the Coyotes is currently in use by Ryan Donato. The last defenseman to wear No. 27 for the B’s was Dougie Hamilton. Austin Czarnik was the last player to wear it.
Swedish forward Joakim Nordstrom, meanwhile, will take the departed Riley Nash’s No. 20. The 26-year-old Nordstrom wore No. 42 in both Chicago and Carolina, but cannot take that in number in Boston thanks to David Backes.
And Massachusetts native Chris Wagner will take No. 14. Not that there’s any real connection, but No. 14 has become the number for the Bruins’ misfit in recent years, as it was the number worn by the likes of Joe Corvo, Brett Connolly, and Paul Postma. No. 21 for the Ducks and Isles last season, the only thing preventing Wagner from taking that number is Jordan Szwarz, who donned that number during his 12-game cameo with the Black and Gold last season.
Barring Szwarz making the NHL squad out of camp, there is the possibility for Wagner to get No. 21 if he wants it.