3 options for the Chicago Blackhawks next jersey number retirement

In 2024, the Chicago Blackhawks retired No. 7 in honor of Chris Chelios, the eighth jersey number to be retired in franchise history. With the Blackhawks set to celebrate its centennial season in 2025-26, more numbers might be set for the rafters of the United Center.

As an original six team, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the most storied franchises in the league having won six Stanley Cups. Naturally, there are a handful of players who are definitely deserving of a banner in the rafters and the franchise has started to honor more players with the team retiring Marian Hossa's No. 81 in 2022 and Chelios in 2024.

As for who comes next, various news outlets have reported on the Blackhawks "guidelines" when it comes to jersey retirements. In September 2023, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Chicago's jersey retirement standards include, "that a player must be retired from hockey for at least three years (not including long-term injured reserve); must have spent at least eight years with the Hawks; must have played more games for the Hawks than any other team, with a minimum of 500 Hawks games (400 for goaltenders); and must either have played at least 1,000 games in his overall career (700 for goaltenders) or have been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, among other standards.

Pope added that those are just the base thresholds of eligibility, on-ice play, awards and other accolades like Stanley Cup success and those who have served other roles with the organization also would factor into the decision.

With that in mind, the Blackhawks have some decisions to be made as to who will next be honored with a jersey retirement. The first player on the list is a definitive lock—not only for a jersey retirement but for a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.