Why #00? Oh Baby!
SI.com takes a look at the stories behind players' numbers including this on why John Davidson choose to change his number from 30 to 00 and then back to 30..."A potential statement for a goalie who lays goose eggs on the scoreboard and score sheet. In 1977, the Ranger netminder switched from 30 to 00 for a season in which he went 14-13-4 with one measly shutout. Returning to 30 for '78-79, his performance noticeably improved as he helped lead New York to the Stanley Cup Final."
...i was only one years old when JD made the switch to 00, so if anyone has any insight into why he did that please leave in the comments section. Either way, definitely a smart move to go back to 30.
SI adds that Marty Biron also wore #00 but was forced to switch in 1998 when the NHL enacted a rule requiring players to wear numbers 1-98.
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According to the book, "By the Numbers From 00 to 99," by Scott Morrison, JD is quoted as explaining taking 00:
"The reason I wore it is because of Phil Esposito. When he got traded to the Rangers, he wanted number seven but Rod Gilbert had it. Phil asked me if I would wear 00 because he was going to wear 77 and at the time double digits were rare. Later on, when Ken Hodge got traded he wore 88 because Steve Vickers had eight. I was a naive kid, 21 years old at the time, and I agreed to do it for him. Phil was the most superstitious player I ever met. In his dressing room stall he had all kinds of stuff hanging ni there for good luck. But he wanted someone to help him with the transition to the new number and I was the guy."
In the article he also said that if he could do it over again he would never have worn 00 due to the ribbing from fans ("We know 00 isn't your goals-against-average, it must be your IQ."
As a side note, Bernie Parent wore 00 as well when he played in the WHA for the Philadelphia Blazers.
