By the Numbers: How #50 Quietly Earned Its Place in NHL Goaltending History
When hockey fans discuss iconic NHL jersey numbers, number “50” is not usually part of the conversation. It’s not traditional for goalies, it’s not glamorous, and it rarely shows up in highlight montages. But sometimes numbers earn their meaning the hard way—through wins, pressure moments, and Stanley Cup championships. Thanks to Corey Crawford and Jordan Binnington, number “50” has done exactly that.
The Backbone of a Dynasty: Corey Crawford (#50, Chicago Blackhawks)
Corey Crawford never needed to be the loudest name on the roster. During the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup championship era, his job was simple: stop the puck and let the stars do the rest—and he did it at an elite level.
As Chicago’s unquestioned #1 goalie, Crawford played a central role in the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup wins in 2013 and 2015, right in the middle of their dominant run. Those teams featured Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith, but no dynasty survives without a goalie who can handle playoff pressure. Crawford was that safety net.
Over his career—all spent in Chicago (488 GP)—Crawford posted 260 wins, a 2.45 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage, and 26 shutouts. When the post-season arrived, Crawford’s calm approach stood out. He didn’t steal the spotlight, but he consistently performed well when the games mattered most. Wearing number “50” throughout his NHL career, Crawford made an uncommon number feel familiar in Chicago. By the end, it was hard to picture those Stanley Cup teams without him in net.
From Last Place to the Stanley Cup: Jordan Binnington (#50, St. Louis Blues)
If Crawford’s story is about calm and reliability, Jordan Binnington’s is about belief and timing. Wearing number “50” for the St. Louis Blues, Binnington stepped into the crease during the 2018–19 season with the team sitting at the bottom of the standings. What followed became one of the NHL’s great turnarounds.
Binnington took over the crease and didn’t look back, leading the Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship. He finished that post-season with 16 wins, the most ever by a rookie goaltender, and played with a calm determination that never seemed to waver. In the years since, Binnington has remained central to everything in St. Louis. Being a Stanley Cup-winning goalie brings expectations every night, and he’s carried that responsibility with confidence and determination.
Note: On December 31, 2025, Jordan Binnington was selected as 1 of 3 goalies on Team Canada’s roster soon to competing at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which is a clear indication of the trust he’s earned throughout the Hockey Canada community.
50: A Number That Now Belongs in the NHL Crease
In the history of the NHL, jersey numbers don’t become meaningful on their own. Their levels of significance rise when NHLers perform exceptionally well in moments that matter. Through Corey Crawford and Jordan Binnington, number "50" has become linked to Stanley Cup championships, timely saves, and reliability in the crease when it counts most.
Number "50" may still be uncommon, but in NHL history, it has clearly earned its place.