Today an announcement was made regarding a change involving Anaheim Ducks rookie forward Sam Colangelo. According to an announcement, Sam Colangelo will change his number due to an unwritten NHL rule. He will reportedly switch from 66 to 64.
Sam Colangelo recently signed an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. After signing he played 4 games in the AHL and has been called up to the NHL. Ahead of his first game, it was announced he would wear jersey number 66. This came with a lot of backlash as it has in the past.
The NHL seems to have an unwritten rule that the number 66 is universally retired in honor of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mario Lemieux. As a result of the outcry for a change, Sam Colangelo will now wear 64.
This is a change that just makes too much sense but still feels like it won't happen. Hopefully, eventually, we get a sensible solution to such a nonsensical problem.