Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #43
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a rich history filled with talented players who have donned the team’s jersey over the years. Today, we take a closer look at the best player to wear the number 43 for the Penguins.
Throughout the team’s history, seven players have worn the number 43 for the Penguins. The first to wear it was Jeff Daniels during the 1992-93 season, followed by Tomas Surovy from 2003-06. More recently, Jansen Harkins and Danton Heinen have also sported the number.
However, standing out among these players is Conor Sheary, who is considered the best player to wear the number 43 in Penguins’ history. Sheary’s journey to the NHL began when he captained the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the 2013-14 season. Despite going undrafted, he caught the attention of the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and signed a contract with them.
Sheary’s talent was evident as he made his mark during the postseason, leading to his entry-level contract with the Penguins in 2015. He quickly became an integral part of the team, playing a key role in the Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup victory. One of his most memorable moments was scoring the overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks.
During the 2016-17 season, Sheary had a standout year, recording 23 goals and 53 points in 61 games. He formed a strong partnership with Sidney Crosby, contributing to the team’s consecutive Stanley Cup wins. Sheary also spent time playing alongside Jake Guentzel as part of the renowned “Sid and the Kids” line.
Following the 2017-18 season, Sheary had stints with the Buffalo Sabres before returning to Pittsburgh briefly in 2020. Since then, he has played for the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout his NHL career, the 32-year-old forward has amassed an impressive 124 goals and 267 points in 588 games.
Conor Sheary’s journey from an undrafted player to a key contributor on two Stanley Cup-winning teams exemplifies his skill and determination on the ice. As he continues his career in the NHL, his impact on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ history remains significant.