What's Your Number?
People seem a bit confused about new Predator Brandon Bochenski…or at least what number he will wear while on the Preds roster.
The Predators website says he will wear #12 (the number he wore in Anaheim), however it also still lists Scott Nichol as continuing to wear #12, and Bochenski has been in the league a shorter time than Nichol, so I don’t see him bumping Scooter of his number. Yahoo sports page lists him as wearing #13, which seems logical given his previous wearing #12…but I seriously doubt a hockey player would wear #13. (by the way, Sports Illustrated's site still says he's on the Duck's roster)
The most authoritative evidence we have is probably from the pictures my wife took at the open practice this afternoon. Practice jersey's don't have numbers on them...but helmets do. Zoom in close and you can see that he's got #24 on the back of his helmet (picture at right). Yup, Scott Walker's old number. I bet there will be more than a few fans not thrilled at that prospect, though he did get a warm welcome at practice today. Christy said he seemed genuinely surprised when several fans asked for his autograph as he was headed to the locker room after practice. Guess they don't do that to non-superstars in Anaheim.
Let's just hope he can help out the team that needs...something.
We'll find out Sat night as the Preds take on Dallas (will be in HD on Fox Sports South).
(For the record: the other new Pred, Jan Hlavich, is wearing Scott Hartnell's old #17. While Scott was well liked while here, i think it is safe to say that he was not as universally loved and appreciated the same way Scott Walker was/is.)
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5 comments:
not to argue, but what is the big deal with a player wearing the # of a previous player, no matter how much beloved he was? Again no offense but its not like its Gretzky's #. If it is that important, than why not retire a #? Think about it, how many #s would not be available if they were "off limits"?
Here is 1 for you, in SJ Owen Nolan was the Capt for nearly 10 years (95-2003). He wore #11 with us. He was arguably 1 of the most loved players in SJ. He wore #11, well Goc wears that # now. Goc is loved in SJ, and I dont know of anyone griping cause he wears Nolans #.
I can kind of see where you are coming from with this comment, but then again I cant.
my thoughts.
Sadly, Scott Walker hasn't been a Predator for a couple of years. I think it's time to give up on the number 24 holding a special place in our hearts. The name and the player do, but I think it's time to let the number go.
I totally agree guys. Just saying, there are some flakes out there that will think this is a big deal. There are some huge Walks fans left in the building.
well there are lots of "flakes" in that building ;o)
it's #24...he told me....actually Yahoo did.
Forget Walker!!! He's "dead" to me.
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