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Jake Radford
Professor Rhodes
Maurice “The Rocket” Richard, The Greatest Montreal Canadien of All Time
"La troisième étoile, the third star … Maurice Richard! ....La deuxième
étoile, the second star … Maurice Richard!.... La première étoile, the first star …
Maurice Richard!” (Stubbs) March 23, 1944, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup
Semifinals. The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the game feeling confident after
their dominant display in the opening game victory, winning three to one (Stubbs)
over the heavily favoured Canadiens. However, a young dynamic winger on the
Montreal Canadiens would have a performance for the ages and tie the series for
his squad. Maurice “The Rocket” Richard would go on to score five goals that
night to help lead the Canadiens to a dominant win. This accomplishment has
only been matched in the playoffs three times since Richard’s historic night
(Stubbs). Richard’s record shattering performance would not stop on the ice,
Montreal sportswriter Elmer Ferguson would award all three stars to Richard
(Pelletier), something that had not happened before, and something that has not
happened since. This night would be the first of many amazing nights and
accomplishments for the Rocket and where he would start cementing his legacy
Maurice Richard was destined for Montreal Canadiens greatness. After signing
with the Canadiens farm team in 1940 (Marsh), Richard would battle injuries
during his minor league career, hampering his chances of making the big club
from the start. Then, in 1942-1943, Richard would make his debut for the Habs
and change the course of hockey history forever. His NHL career took a small hit
in his rookie season, breaking his ankle 16 games into his first season (Marsh),
but the talent that the young winger displayed was undeniable. The years1943-
1944 would be Maurice’s breakout season. Richard would lead the Habs in goals
with 32, and finish third on the team in points with 54 (hockey-reference). This
would be the year of his famous five-goal playoff game. During his 18 year career
for the Habs, Richard would lead the Canadiens in goals nine times and points
scored 20 or more goals, a team record, 14 times during his career (Wharnsby).
His ability to score at a high level, for such a long period of time was one of his
most amazing accomplishments the Rocket had over the course of his career.
The Rockets historic pace of scoring would help lead Montreal to eight Stanley
Cup victories during his time on the ice (Stubbs). Maurice’s scoring would help
Montreal immensely in their quest for the cup and his 82 career playoff goals
(ourhistory) still stands as the benchmark that all future and present Habs players
strive to beat. When Maurice retired he was Montreal’s career leader in goals,
assists, and points (hockey-reference). Other players have come into the
Montreal franchise and surpassed some of his individual statistics, but no player
can overtake his position as the greatest Montreal Canadien of all time.
with countless awards for his accomplishments on the ice. Maurice was named
an all-star 14 times and won the NHL’s Hart trophy in 1946-47(Stubbs) for the
most valuable player in the league. Maurice had an ability to score at such a high
level that he was consistently amongst the league leaders in goals scored,
1999, the NHL announced they would be giving the leagues leading goal scorer
reference). This record would remain unmatched for over 35 years (Wikipedia).
His goal scoring capabilities are what catapulted him into the spotlight and what
helped create his legacy as not only the best Montreal Canadiens, but also one
Not many players can lay claim to having a greater career than Richard,
numerous all-star appearances, multiple league scoring titles, eight Stanley cup
victories, and the honour of having one of the biggest annual award named in
Radford 4
His honour. Richards career truly was remarkable and shows why he is the
Stubbs, Dave. “ Maurice Richard: 100 Greatest NHL Players.” NHL.com, 1 January
2017,
www.nhl.com/news/maurice-richard-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-
284176856?tid=283865022 . Accessed 30 September 2017.
Stubbs, Dave “ Maurice Richards five-goal three- star night.” NHL.com, 23 March
2017,
www.nhl.com/news/richards-five-goal-three-star-night-carries-canadiens/c-
287931282 . Accessed 30 September 2017.
Pelletier, Joe. “Great Moments In Hockey History: Rocket Richard Named 1st 2nd and
3rd star!” Greatest Hockey Legends, 23 March 2013.
www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2013/03/rocket-richard-named-1st-2nd-and-
3rd.html . Accessed 1 October 2017.
Wharnsby, Tim. “The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years, 100 Facts.” CBC Sports, 3
December 2009,
www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/the-montreal-canadiens-100-years-100-facts-1.837294
. Accessed 30 September 2017.