Maurice Richard

Maurice "Rocket" Richard played professional NHL hockey with the Montreal Canadiens from 1942-1960. He is perhaps the most famous and popular player to don the Montreal Canadiens Jersey.

A right-winger, "The Rocket" was the most prolific goal scorer of his era and the first NHLer to score 50 goals in one season, which he did in 50 games during the 1944-45 season. He was also the first professional hockey player to reach a career high of 500 goals.

Richard led the Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup wins, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. Players are not usually eligible for induction until at least three years after retirement, but the waiting period was waived for "The Rocket."

Richard's jersey number, 9, which he wore in honor of his first child, Huguette's birth weight, was retired by the Canadiens just months after his retirement.

In 1996, during the ceremonies to close the Montreal Forum, Richard received an unprecedented 16-minute standing ovation.

Richard's name lives on in the Rocket Richard Trophy, which is awarded each year to the NHL's top goal scorer.

The career of Maurice Richard was filled with many great memories, both good and bad. He was the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games and the first to score 500 goals in his career. One of his greatest performances occurred on March 23, 1944, in a Stanley Cup Semi-Final game against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. The Habs beat the Leafs 5-1, but Richard had scored all five goals. Many newspaper reports had the headline "Richard 5, Toronto 1". Richard was selected as all three stars, the first time this had occurred in history.