The forward, who signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Monday, will wear No. 16 next season.
Pavelski had worn No. 8 for most of his 13 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, but the Stars did not have that number available since it was retired to honor former forward Bill Goldsworthy on Feb. 15, 1992.
The Stars' two other big free agent signings Monday, forward Corey Perry and defenseman Andrej Sekera, also received their numbers.
Perry, who signed a one-year contract, will wear No. 10, the same number he had for 13 of his 14 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. He wore No. 61 as a rookie in 2005-06.
Sekera, who also signed a one-year contract, will wear No. 5. He had worn No. 2 the previous four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.
