Quite often in sports players are simply assigned a number in training camp and it sticks. Or they will wear that number for their first year pro and then switch as they get more comfortable in the system. I noticed that Jets 2018 2nd rounder David Gustafsson has worn a number of different jersey numbers during the course of his young hockey career.
With HV71 he wore 27, with the Jets he wore 41 and 19, with the Moose he wore 19 and he is currently wearing 26 with Tingsryd. As well he has worn 13, 19 and 27 internationally for Team Sweden.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
So I asked him on Thursday if he could wear any number what would it be and why?
“It’s number 19. I try to wear number 19 as often as I can but sometimes somebody already has it. In Tingsryd we had number 19 what’s called pensioned (retired) so nobody can wear it, but I want to wear 19 cause that’s my dad’s number when he played. When I get a chance to choose I want to wear this number cause my dad is probably the reason why I started to play hockey and he’s also the reason I made it so far. He’s been my greatest coach and supporter. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him so I feel like number 19 is a great choice.”
Gustafsson switched from 41 to the number 19 with the Winnipeg Jets ahead of the start of the 2019-20 season so he will be able to wear his dad’s jersey number for years to come.
Plenty more still to come from my chat with David Gustafsson.
