Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was active in both the trade market and free agency this offseason, not only unloading Vladimir Tarasenko but acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks.
Additionally, the Red Wings inked free agent forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, along with defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Ian Mitchell.
Early on Thursday afternoon, the Red Wings released the uniform numbers that all of the above new players will be donning this season.
As he's done in multiple cities throughout his NHL career, van Riemsdyk will be wearing No. 21; it was last worn by Auston Czarnik during the 2023-24 season. Gibson will keep his No. 36 he wore for the entirety of his tenure with the Anaheim Ducks; it was most recently worn by Christian Fischer from 2023 through earlier this year when he was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Appleton will also be keeping his No. 22 that he previously wore with the Winnipeg Jets. The most recent Red Wings player to wear No. 22 was depth forward Matt Luff in 2022-23.
Bernard-Docker will be the first Red Wings player since Taro Hirose to wear No. 25, while Hamonic will be the first No. 52 in a Red Wings uniform since Brogan Rafferty in 2024; it was also recently worn by Jonatan Berggren and, for over a decade, Jonathan Ericcson.
New guys, new numbers! pic.twitter.com/JwRS11Ts9w
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 28, 2025
Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line.
Gibson immediately slots into the top spot on Detroit's goaltending depth chart, giving Cam Talbot, who was signed last offseason, to settle comfortably into the backup role.
van Riemsdyk could potentially play a top-six role with the Red Wings, while Appleton is expected to slot in on Detroit's third or fourth line.
Bernard-Docker, Hamonic and Mitchell will all be competing for a roster spot with one another in Training Camp.
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