The Pittsburgh Penguins’ organizational history has a plethora of great players, and we’ve decided to go through the best Penguins’ players to wear each jersey number. Today, we continue the list by naming the best #26 in Penguins’ history.
Twenty-seven players have worn #26, but one stands out from the pack. He is one leg of The Century Line – one of the best lines in franchise history – and the only one from that group who we haven’t discussed yet.
The best #26 in franchise history? Syl Apps Jr.
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Apps, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs legend and Hall-of-Famer Syl Apps, was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round of the 1964 NHL Draft. It took a few collegiate seasons between Princeton and Queens, plus two season in the minors, before getting the call to play in the NHL in 1970.
However, after a disappointing start to his Leafs career in 1970-71, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 26, 1971. And from there, he blossomed into one of the franchise’s first star players.
Regarded as a dynamic, prolific playmaker, Apps centered “The Century Line” – or, as some called it, “The Bicentennial Line” – with Lowell MacDonald and Jean Pronovost on his wings. Together, they averaged over 100 goals and 200 points for three straight seasons, earning the moniker.
Over the course of his Penguins’ career from 1971-77, Apps recorded 500 points in 495 games, including 151 goals. At the time of his departure, he was the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and second only to Pronovost in goals.
In addition, Apps Jr.’s son, Syl Apps III, played minor league hockey until 2003, so hockey runs deep in the Apps bloodline:
With the Penguins’ franchise going through some changes and Apps’ performance declining, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on November 2, 1977, where he spent the remainder of his NHL career.
Apps finished his NHL career with 183 goals and 606 points in 727 games.
Related: Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #25
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Related: Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #23
