Hockey season is almost here, as the Boston Bruins are now only 42 days away from their 2025-26 season opener.
Because of this, let's take a look at all 14 players who have worn No. 42 for the Bruins in franchise history.
Bob Sweeney, C/RW (1986-87 to 1988-89)
Bob Sweeney was the first Bruins player to wear No. 42 in franchise history. He wore No. 42 during his first three seasons with the club from 1986-87 to 1988-89 before making the switch to No. 20. In 382 games over six seasons with the Bruins, he had 81 goals, 193 points, and 509 penalty minutes.
Mike Millar, RW (1989-90)
Mike Millar wore No. 42 for the Bruins during the 1989-90 season. In 15 games with the Bruins over that span, he recorded one goal, five points, and a minus-2 rating. He played his final NHL season in 1990-91 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
John Byce, C (1990-91 to 1991-92)
The next player to wear No. 42 for the Bruins was John Byce. In 21 games with the Bruins from 1990-91 to 1991-92, he recorded two goals and five points. Following the 1991-92 season, he never played at the NHL level again.
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Brent Hughes, LW (1991-92 to 1992-93)
Brent Hughes was the next player to sport No. 42 for the Bruins. He wore No. 42 for the Bruins during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons before switching to No. 18 for his final two campaigns with Boston. In 191 games over four seasons with Boston, he had 25 goals, 47 points, and 511 penalty minutes.
Mikko Makela, RW (1994-95)
Mikko Makela would be the next player to wear No. 42 for the Bruins, as he did during the 1994-95 season. In 11 games with the Bruins that campaign, he recorded one goal and three points. This would be his last season at the NHL level.
Tim Sweeney, LW (1995-96 to 1996-97)
Tim Sweeney wore No. 42 during his second stint with the Bruins from 1995-96 to 1996-97. During his first stint with the Bruins in 1992-93, he sported No. 41. In 91 games with the Bruins over three seasons, he had 19 goals and 45 points.
Mike Sullivan, C (1997-98)
Mike Sullivan was the next player to wear No. 42 for the Bruins, as he did during the 1997-98 season. In 77 games that season, he recorded five goals and 18 assists.
This would not be Sullivan's only time with the organization, as he was also the Bruins' head coach from 2003-04 to 2005-06. He was hired as the New York Rangers' head coach this off-season after spending the previous 10 seasons as bench boss of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Peter Ferraro, LW (1998-99 to 1999-00)
Peter Ferraro wore No. 42 for the Bruins during the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons. In 51 games with the Bruins over that span, he recorded six goals, 15 points, and a plus-9 rating.
P.J. Stock, LW (2001-02 to 2003-04)
P.J. Stock wore No. 42 during his three-year stint with the Bruins, and he was certainly a fan favorite. The 5-foot-10 forward is undoubtedly most remembered for toughness and fighting ability during his days with the Bruins. In 130 games with the Bruins from 2001-02 to 2003-04, he recorded one goal, 13 points, and 282 penalty minutes.
Pascal Pelletier, LW (2007-08)
Pascal Pelletier was the next Bruins player to wear No. 42, but it was for a very short time. He played in just six games with the Bruins during the 2007-08 season, recording zero points, 12 hits, and a minus-2 rating.
Blake Wheeler, RW (2008-09)
Blake Wheeler kicked off his NHL career wearing No. 42 for the Bruins during the 2008-09 season. In 81 games during his rookie year with Boston, he posted 21 goals and 45 points in 81 games. He later switched to No. 26 with the Bruins.
Trent Whitfield, C (2009-10 & 2011-12)
Trent Whitfield wore No. 42 for the Bruins during the 2009-10 and 2011-12 seasons. In 17 games with the Bruins over that span, he posted one assist, 16 hits, and a minus-2 rating.
David Backes, C/RW (2016-17 to 2019-20)
David Backes wore No. 42 for the Bruins from 2016-17 to 2019-20. In 217 games over four seasons with the Bruins, he recorded 39 goals, 55 assists, 94 points, and 524 hits. He was also an alternate captain for the Bruins in 2016-17 and during his final two seasons in Boston.
Backes' time with the Bruins ended when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in the deal that brought Ondrej Kase to Boston during the 2019-20 season.
Georgii Merkulov, C (2023-24 to Present)
Georgii Merkulov has worn No. 42 for the Bruins since making his NHL debut during the 2023-24 season. In 10 games with the Bruins over the last two seasons, he has recorded one assist and two penalty minutes. The young forward will be looking to earn a full-time spot on Boston's roster this season.
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44 Days Until Opening Night: Bruins' History Of No. 44