Last season the Tampa Bay Lightning retired the first number in franchise history: Martin St. Louis’s 26. Statistically, he is the best player the Lightning franchise ever had. However, St. Louis’s departure from Tampa Bay was rife with controversy and bad feelings. This led to Marty’s jersey retirement ceremony splitting the fanbase as to whether he deserved the honor of being the first player to have his jersey hung in the rafters of Amalie Arena, or the second.
Many believed another beloved Lightning icon deserved the honor of being first, Vincent Lecavalier.