The forward will be the eighth player to have his number retired by the Blackhawks, joining goalies Glenn Hall (No. 1) and Tony Esposito (No. 35), defensemen Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson (each No. 3), and forwards Bobby Hull (No. 9), Denis Savard (No. 18) and Stan Mikita (No. 21).
The Blackhawks announced they would be retiring Hossa's number April 7, the same day he signed a one-day contract to retire with the team.
"As a kid, you know you dream to play one day in the National Hockey League, the best league in the world," Hossa said at the time. "Then your goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Your goal is not going into the rafters or going into the Hall of Fame, but I guess somebody really liked my game over those years and this success we've had.
"I was lucky to play with so many great players and a great coaching staff. Thanks also to them. It's amazing news for me and my family. I'm overwhelmed. It still didn't sink [in]. It's amazing."
Hossa, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last November, won the Stanley Cup three times with Chicago (2010, 2013 and 2015). A progressive skin disorder ended his career after the 2016-17 season.
The 43-year-old had 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) in 1,309 games for the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks, including 415 points (186 goals, 229 assists) in 534 regular-season games for Chicago. Hossa scored at least 30 goals in a season eight times and at least 40 three times.
Hossa played the final eight of his 19 NHL seasons for the Blackhawks after signing a 12-year contract with them July 1, 2009. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020 with Jarome Iginla, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson and Kim St-Pierre.
"To me, the greatest free agent signing in Chicago sports history, Marian was the franchise's missing piece," Blackhawks chief executive officer Danny Wirtz said April 5. "Both on and off the ice, he made an indelible mark on his teammates and our organization. My family is forever grateful for the contributions Marian made to the Blackhawks. His humble demeanor and vaunted work ethic was everything we could have asked for and more in a superstar when we signed him in 2009."
Hossa previously said he's had discussions about working for the Blackhawks in some capacity, but nothing has been decided yet.
"I'd love to come to visit the city and work with the Blackhawks in certain areas, but we haven't reached the final note, like what exactly it's going to be. But I know it's going to be something," he said. "Definitely looking forward to it. I'm sure when we're going to have more information, we'll let you guys know."
Hossa had 149 points (52 goals, 97 assists) in 205 Stanley Cup Playoff games and played in the Stanley Cup Final five times, including with the Penguins in 2008 and Red Wings in 2009. He is the only player to skate in the Final in three straight seasons with three teams.
"I haven't been in this building in almost four years," Hossa said of United Center. "Today, I kind of sit and start enjoying the game. After the national anthem, I looked to the left and saw those names (in the rafters) and still couldn't believe that my name next year is going to be up there. There's only a handful of names or jerseys hanging, and Chicago has a history of [nearly] 100 years. To me, that's amazing. I'm losing words."
