ANAHEIM – They can be more self-centered than a selfie, some professional athletes convinced George Washington’s face is on the dollar bill only because he was here before they were.

But, even when it comes to something that can be as personal as a jersey number, Rickard Rakell is thinking of others. Specifically, he’s thinking of you, Ducks fans.

That’s part of the reason the young forward – as he further establishes himself on a team now establishing itself in a season once considered lost – continues to wear No. 67, a numeral with about as much history in hockey as the wishbone formation.

“I would feel bad for all the fans who have my jersey now,” Rakell explained. “If I change, they have to get new ones. Jerseys aren’t cheap. I didn’t have many game jerseys when I was younger. If they go out of their way to get my jersey, I feel like I owe them something.”

And how thoroughly decent does that sound compared to athletes who act as if their mere presence is prize enough?

This sport does have a tradition of higher numbers, one that includes Mario Lemieux wearing 66, Jaromir Jagr 68 and Sidney Crosby 87. The greatest player of all, Wayne Gretzky, wore 99, of course, and jersey numbers can’t come any higher than that.

But there also is a tradition of players changing to lower numbers after they’ve proven themselves. As younger Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf once wore No. 51, Corey Perry No. 61 and Cam Fowler No. 54.

Rakell grew up wearing mostly No. 24 but was given 67 a few years ago on the first day of training camp. Other than two games in the minors last year, he has been with the Ducks since the start of the 2014-15 season.

Still, he hasn’t brought up the idea of switching numbers and hasn’t been asked about it by anyone in the Ducks organization.

Only 22 and playing an increased role on a team concerned with bigger things than just developing talent, Rakell isn’t about to make an issue out of something as trivial as the numerals stitched across his back. Trivial, at least, compared to the Ducks logo stitched across his chest.

“I just want to play,” he said. “I don’t really care about what number I have. I’m still a rookie, so…”

A rookie? Well, let’s just say he’s still learning. Rakell, by the NHL’s official guidelines, stopped being a rookie last season.

But, as someone who is older than only three players on the Ducks’ current roster, Rakell appreciates where he stands in the locker room, even when he’s sitting in there talking to reporters.

This week, after one of the Ducks’ equipment managers scolded Rakell for being too busy with the media to get undressed following practice – he was holding up the start of a laundry cycle – Rakell made a point to apologize.

“I’m just happy I’ve been given a chance to prove myself,” he said, now suddenly speed stripping. “I play my best hockey when I’m happy and not thinking too much out there, just reacting. I want to keep this going and not change too much.”

In a season during which every goal has been precious to the Ducks, Rakell is second on the team with 15.

Only Getzlaf and Perry have scored more points than Rakell’s 33, a testament to the sort of offensive abilities that Coach Bruce Boudreau referenced by saying, “Sometimes, he puts on a clinic with the moves.”

Rakell began the season centering the Ducks’ third line but has since been given a more prominent role, one that lately has featured Perry skating next to him.

“I think pretty much anyone would notice his talent quickly,” Fowler said. “It’s not surprising to see a guy like Ricky come into his own two or three years down the road. I always knew he was going to be a special player.”

Rakell has been a more consistent player, too. It took him 25 games from the start of last season to score his first goal, on Dec. 22. He also was 0-for-February, going 13 games without one.

A year later, he’s scored five times so far this month, including game-winners at Philadelphia and Calgary.

“One of the things I’m most proud of this year is I’m keeping things pretty even, not too much up and down,” Rakell said. “Last year, I could have a good game and then go four games without doing anything.”

But No. 67 has been among the most steady of Ducks during this season of one extended down followed by one extreme up.

He has done well carrying on the family name, which requires some heavy lifting when you’re Rickard Lars Gunnar Roland Rakell. Lars and Gunnar are Rakell’s grandfathers’ names, and Roland is his father’s name.

“In Sweden, a lot of people have a grandparent’s name but maybe not all of them,” Rakell said, smiling. “I think my mom (Annika) thought I should have a bunch of names for some reason. My dad thinks it’s silly, too.”

Silly maybe, but easily identifiable, just like the big number on the back of one of the growing Ducks.

Contact the writer: jmiller@ocregister.com