Welcome to our series on who wore each number best for the Penguins.
The idea is being openly borrowed from our new hockey writer, Cody Tucker, and his project at the Lansing State Journal covering all the uniform numbers worn through Michigan State football history, one that’s been well received by their readers and prompted heavy discussion and debate.
Under my organization, and following the voting of a big chunk of our staff, we’ll publish one new one each day until completion, which should be right around the start of training camp.
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Name: Bill Guerin
Number: 13
Position: Right Wing
Born: November 9, 1970 in Worcester, Massachusetts
Seasons with Penguins: 2009-10
Statistics with Penguins: 95 games, 26 goals, 31 assists in regular season, 35 games, 11 goals, 13 assists in playoffs
WHY GUERIN?
Hockey players are superstitious. As a result, unlucky No. 13 doesn't see much circulation around the league. Only six players have ever donned the number for the Penguins, and the one that has had the most impact on the organization is undoubtedly Bill Guerin.
Guerin joined the Penguins in March 2009 at the trade deadline in exchange for a third-round pick, and was one of the heroes of the Stanley Cup run that year, playing on a line with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. He was a much-needed veteran presence in a young Penguins locker room, and he scored the overtime, game-winning goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Philadelphia.
When Sidney Crosby got his hands on the Stanley Cup for the first time, Guerin was fittingly the person who got it next.
It was Guerin's second Stanley Cup -- his first in 14 years. "I thought I'd get a million more cracks at it," Guerin said of the long wait between Cups. "I just couldn't believe it was really going to happen," he said of his thoughts in the final seconds of Game 7.
Much of what Guerin accomplished in his 18-year NHL career wasn't in a Penguins uniform, but he chose to retire as a Penguin in 2010 after making such a connection with both the organization and the city.
WHAT'S HE DOING NOW?
Guerin is still in the organization, of course.
Guerin first joined the Penguins' staff in June 2011 when he was hired as a player development coach, and three years later, Guerin was promoted to assistant general manager. Guerin also took on the role of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton general manager in 2017, following the departure of Jason Botterill. Guerin now has four Stanley Cups, winning two as an assistant general manager to match his two as a player.
One of the most successful American-born players in the history of the game, Guerin was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
Guerin is Jim Rutherford's No. 2 man, and some say he is being groomed to be Rutherford's eventual successor.
Oh, and he likes sandwiches.
With the Penguins' non-existent 1st round pick, Assistant GM Bill Guerin would like to select a salami and cheese sandwich. pic.twitter.com/RcIZYhVzWr
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2018
IT WAS SPOKEN
“The last team that I ever played for was the Penguins. It was one of the most positive experiences of my life. They were great in bringing me here. My family and I bonded with this team and with this community. Fortunately, we were able to win the Stanley Cup as a family together. It was amazing." -- Guerin after announcing his retirement in 2010.
HONORABLE MENTIONS AT NO. 13
Nick Bonino
Jim Hamilton
Any debate?
Definitely. Bonino spent slightly more time in a Penguins uniform, and was part of two Cup teams, playing a large role especially in the 2016 run on the "HBK" line with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin. Guerin was the more skilled player, although Pittsburgh got him at the end of his career. His leadership qualities and what he meant to the 2009 team gave him the edge, in our opinion.
Tomorrow: I have No. 14.
Yesterday: Bob Errey