Richard, << REE shahrd, >> Maurice (1921-2000), ranks among the leading goal scorers in National Hockey League (NHL) history. During his career, Richard scored 544 goals and 421 assists for a total of 965 points in 978 regular-season games. Richard’s explosive skating speed and high-powered offensive skills earned him the nickname “Rocket.”
Richard played right wing for the Montreal Canadiens from the 1942-1943 season through the 1959-1960 season, helping the Canadiens win eight Stanley Cup championships. In the 1944-1945 season, Richard became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season. He won the Hart Trophy (now the Hart Memorial Trophy) in 1947 as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Richard was born on Aug. 4, 1921, in Montreal. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. Richard died on May 27, 2000. Henri Richard, Maurice’s younger brother, was a hockey star who played in the NHL from 1955 to 1975. Henri Richard was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979.
