NY Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin sought Brock Nelson's approval for jersey number

A new face was wearing an old number on Thursday, as New York Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin stepped onto the ice at Islanders camp with No. 29 stitched across his back.

For over a decade, that number had been synonymous with Brock Nelson, who wore it with pride from 2013 until his trade to Colorado earlier this summer. Drouin becomes the first Islander since Nelson to don 29, and while jersey numbers are just digits on a sweater, this one carried weight.

Drouin, who signed a two-year deal with New York over the offseason, didn’t want to claim the number without first checking in with Nelson, whom he briefly played alongside in Colorado. That small gesture underscored the respect Drouin holds for Nelson—not only as a former teammate, but as a central figure in Islanders history.

“When you've spent over 10 years in some place, the fan base obviously accepts you,” Drouin said via NewYorkIslanders.com. “They love you and he was a leader on this team. I just wanted to make sure it was okay with him and kind of get his approval. And he said it was fine.”

Nelson leaves behind a remarkable legacy in No. 29. His 901 games rank fourth all-time in franchise history, his 295 goals place him fifth, and his 574 points put him eighth. For a fan base that grew accustomed to watching him night after night, seeing someone else in the sweater will take some adjusting.

But Drouin now becomes the 13th player in Islanders history to wear 29, joining names such as former captain Kenny Jonsson, forward Jay Pandolfo (the last before Nelson), and goaltender Jamie McLennan.

For Drouin, the number is less about replacing Nelson and more about beginning a new chapter with the Islanders. While he’s never worn 29 in his NHL career, the story behind its return to circulation only adds to the anticipation surrounding his arrival on Long Island.