The forward is the eighth player to have his number retired by the Blackhawks, joining goalies Glenn Hall (No. 1) and Tony Esposito (No. 35), defensemen Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson (each No. 3), and forwards Bobby Hull (No. 9), Denis Savard (No. 18) and Stan Mikita (No. 21).
"As a kid, you know you dream to play one day in the National Hockey League, the best league in the world," Hossa said at the time. "Then your goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Your goal is not going into the rafters or going into the Hall of Fame, but I guess somebody really liked my game over those years and this success we've had.
"I was lucky to play with so many great players and a great coaching staff. Thanks also to them. It's amazing news for me and my family. I'm overwhelmed. It still didn't sink [in]. It's amazing."
Hossa, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last November, won the Stanley Cup three times with Chicago (2010, 2013 and 2015). A progressive skin disorder ended his career after the 2016-17 season.
The 43-year-old had 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) in 1,309 games for the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks, including 415 points (186 goals, 229 assists) in 534 regular-season games for Chicago. Hossa scored at least 30 goals in a season eight times and at least 40 three times.
Hossa played the final eight of his 19 NHL seasons for the Blackhawks after signing a 12-year contract with them July 1, 2009. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020 with Jarome Iginla, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson and Kim St-Pierre.
