Whose number 99 was retired league-wide by the NHL in 2000?

Wayne Gretzky’s number 99 was retired league-wide by the NHL in 2000.

The honor was announced at the NHL’s 50th All-Star Game on February 6, 2000, in Toronto. Gretzky had retired after the 1998–99 season, ending a career in which he became the NHL’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points. He remains the only player whose number has been retired by the entire League.

Gretzky first wore number 99 with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in junior hockey after his preferred number 9 was unavailable. The Edmonton Oilers retired his number in 1999, and the Los Angeles Kings followed in 2002; those team ceremonies are separate from the NHL-wide retirement.

A common mix-up is confusing Gretzky’s league-wide retirement with the many team-retired numbers honoring stars such as Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe. No other player has received the same NHL-wide designation.