It sounds like you’re asking about “what happened to number 13 hockey player,” which right now most often refers to Johnny Gaudreau, the NHL star long known as “Johnny Hockey,” who wore number 13.

Quick Scoop: What happened to the number 13 hockey player?

Johnny Gaudreau, an 11‑year NHL veteran who wore number 13 with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, died in a traffic accident on August 29, 2024, while riding bicycles with his brother Matthew in Salem County, New Jersey. Both brothers were struck by a car and passed away, which shocked the hockey world and led to widespread tributes from fans, players, and teams.

Why number 13 is suddenly everywhere in hockey

After Gaudreau’s death, many players and teams began using the number 13 as a tribute to him. Examples include:

  • Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens switched his jersey from 22 to 13 to honor Gaudreau, whom he called his hero and friend.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets announced plans to honor him with helmet stickers, patches, and by leaving his locker untouched for the 2024–25 season.
  • Fans and players across leagues have spoken about wearing 13 in his memory, and some online discussions even talk about whether teams should eventually retire the number for him.

So when people online ask “what happened to number 13 hockey player” now, they’re usually talking about Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic passing and the way the hockey community has rallied around his number 13 as a symbol of remembrance.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.