Every Philadelphia Flyers Player Confesses as to Why They Chose Their Jersey

Hexy (former general manager Ron Hextall) just gave it to me. I didn't have a call. I was just excited to make the (Flyers at the start of the 2017-18 season), and that was the number I was wearing in the American League. So that was the number I got here. I think (Hextall) wanted guys to have low numbers, and I think that was part of the reason.

I wouldn't change it now. At the time, I maybe would have picked a different number (such as 32, his number with the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL). But you know, looking back on it now, I'm happy with 6.

I wore 13 for a long time, since I've started playing. It's my birthday � I was (born) on Jan. 13. I always loved that number. And then when I got to Cedar Rapids in the USHL (in 2013-14), that number was taken. My second option was 9.

I wear it because it's my brother's birthday; (he was born) on Feb. 9. And also, lots of great players were No. 9. I mean, there's Gordie Howe, Mike Modano, (Bobby) Hull � tons of great players wore that number in the past. It's just me trying to do my best. I like that number a lot and I guess it gives you that little bit of swagger and confidence.

Honestly, (No. 11) was just one of the numbers available, and I liked it. That was it. I had 17 (in juniors), and then (Wayne Simmonds) had it when I was here, and then I wasn't going to switch (when he left).

I tried to get 12 coming out of (Boston College), but Lee Stempniak had it (with the New York Rangers). And Johnny (Gaudreau) and Cam Atkinson wore 13 in the NHL, and they both played at BC, so I just took it for that reason.

Well, I had 14 growing up. It was kind of my number growing up. And then in juniors, I had 7 for my birthday � Dec. 7th. And then when I got here, obviously (No. 7 is) retired (for) Bill Barber, so I just went back to 14.

So actually, 71 was my number in Vancouver. That was assigned to me. And then my father's birthday actually is August 17, 1971. So coming to Philly, whenever they said that 71 was taken, I was perfectly OK with taking 17, because I still have that close connection with my dad through that (MacEwen's father died at the age of 48 in 2020). That's the whole story behind it.

I was 39 my first year (with the Flyers), switched to 21 for the five games in the lockout (season). Then Hexy came in, I went to 49. Wore 49 for a bit, (and then) went back to 21. So (I've) had a couple numbers here, but yeah, 21 was «the number.»

I was always No. 9 growing up � that was my favorite number, No. 9. (But) it got retired in Oshawa (for Red Tilson), so I couldn't wear it (in juniors). Nineteen was my next number (choice). That's actually one of my good buddies (Jeff Brown, No. 19 in 2010-11 with the Generals) who was wearing that, so I couldn't wear 19. I wore 21 in lacrosse one year, (and) I think it was my brother's favorite number, so 21 was the next option. And then I had the option here in Philly when I switched to 21, to go to 9. But for different reasons, (I) just stayed at 21.

Honestly, I kind of like wearing two numbers � it makes me look a little bigger out there, I think.

I guess there's no real particular reason. I was 36 in Minnesota. Then I was 55 for a little bit (in Minnesota and Chicago). And then 24 (here), I picked 24 just because I like it. No real reason. Sorry, that's a bad answer!

So when I was in Toronto, I had to switch from 21 (in 2016), because they were retiring Borje Salming's jersey, so I got a call in the summer. And I was talking with (then-Leafs GM) Lou (Lamoriello) about it, and he's like, «You should pick a number that makes you look big, like 25.» I'm like, «OK, sounds good.

I think it's a cool number. Patrick Roy had it. I barely saw him play, but he's one of the GOATs of the goaltending world. Definitely a guy you can look up to. It's just a number I like � I've been kind of splitting between 30 and 33. When I got here, they gave me 33. So I just kind of rolled with it.

That was just assigned to me when I was in Vegas. I was 23 in training camp. I was sent to the minors and we traded for Alec Martinez. Awesome guy, I still keep in touch with him. But we traded for him � you know, two-time Stanley Cup champ. And he wanted 23. So they gave him 23.

And then I got called up shortly after he was traded for, and I wasn't sure what number I was going to be. I showed up to the game and I had 38 in my stall. I ended up scoring that game, and I said, «You know what? I think I've got to stick with this.» So now I've just been 38 since then.

When I got traded from L.A. to Buffalo, that's the number they gave me. So I've went back to that one.

Was 20 in Montreal, and then I had the option in Anaheim to choose a different number, but they had 20 (available), so I went (with it) there. When I went to Minnesota was 44, and had the option (for 44) this year. So, I said, «Might as well go back to what it was before.»

I think it's just, «New place, change something.» Had 20 for five years pretty much in Montreal and Anaheim. So I just decided to switch it. I don't think numbers are things that concerns me.

I guess it felt more like my number (than 77, which he wore in his first season in Philadelphia). I've been wearing it my whole professional career.