Winners: Maurice (Rocket) Richard, Ice Hockey

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Maurice Richard in possession of the puck

Maurice Richard on the ice in his Montreal Canadiens uniform.
Date: 1950’s
Collection: CP photo

1952 - Feature Story

Maurice (Rocket) Richard scored one of hockey’s most iconic goals in the 1952 Stanley Cup playoffs. With blood streaming down his face, Richard went end to end and beat Boston’s Sugar Jim Henry to win the deciding game of the semi-final, despite having been knocked out of the game earlier by a concussion. A still greater feat arrived in November of 1952, when Richard scored his 325th career goal, making him the most prolific goal scorer in NHL history. He later gave the record-setting puck to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

1957 - Feature Story

Maurice Richard was named captain of the Montreal Canadiens prior to the start of the 1956-1957 NHL season. Richard had another solid year scoring 33 goals as the Canadiens won their second consecutive Stanley Cup that spring. His highlight came October 19, 1957, when he became the first NHL player to score 500 career goals, beating Chicago’s Glenn Hall. Such was the state of Richard’s dominance that, at the time, no other NHL player had counted even 400 career goals.

1958 - Feature Story

The Canadiens would go on to win the Stanley Cup again in 1958, their third in a run of five in a row, and team captain Richard, who had been limited to only 28 regular-season games, as he returned from a serious  Achilles tendon injury, was never in better form than he was in this post-season. Richard scored 11 goals in 10 playoff games, including the overtime winner in the final series’ pivotal fifth game.

Career Highlights

  • 1961 Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
  • 1952, 1957, 1958 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
  • 1947 Hart Trophy (league MVP)
  • 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956-1960 Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens
  • 1944-1945 Scored 50 goals in 50 games with the Montreal Canadiens
Maurice Richard (right) with his younger brother and Montreal Canadiens’ teammate, Henri Richard

Henri Richard (left) and Maurice Richard (right).
Date: January 18, 1956
Collection: CP photo

Maurice Richard involved in a confrontation during a hockey game

Maurice Richard is restrained by linesman George Hayes in a NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Date: 1954
Collection: CP photo

Photograph of Maurice Richard as an assistant captain in his Canadiens’ jersey

Maurice Richard in his Montreal Canadiens uniform.
Date: 1957
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Maurice Richard’s hockey sweater

Hockey sweater worn by Maurice Richard as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.
Date: c. 1955
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Maurice Richard’s hockey stick

Hockey stick used by Maurice Richard while he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens.
Date: c. 1955
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Portrait of Maurice Richard in his uniform holding a stick

Photograph of Maurice Richard posing in his Montreal Canadiens uniform.
Date: 1957
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Maurice Richard’s hockey stick

Hockey stick used by Maurice Richard. The side of the stick has “Raymond Hardware Ltd.” stamped on it.
Date: c. 1955
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Maurice Richard in his uniform while sitting in the locker room

A signed print of Maurice Richard.
Date: 
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

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