Maurice Richard

Look at the list of goal scoring firsts that the Rocket had: He was the first to score 50 goals in 50 games and the first to net 500 goals in a career. Richard led Montreal to the Stanley Cup eight times and played in thirteen straight All Star Games. The 1947 Hart Trophy winner was so beloved in Montreal that when he was suspended by NHL President Clarence Campbell for the remainder of the 1955 season (for punching out a lineman) that when Campbell took in a game at the Forum he was pelted with eggs before he could sit down, and a riot ensued in Montreal.

Maurice Richard remains an iconic figure in Quebec and the NHL correctly created the Maurice Richard Award which is annually given to the player who scores the most goals.  Hopefully in generations to come, Maurice Richard will remain celebrated as the icon he was…at least let’s hope this stays the case in Quebec!