No "Rocket" science here: Maurice Richard is the Canadiens' greatest

A Lasting Legacy:
Maurice Richard was more than a player; he changed the game of hockey. Born in 1921, Maurice Richard learned how to skate on frozen ponds and the street, driven by determination and his love of hockey.

He began playing hockey at the late age of 14 and led his local team to three straight league championships. Scoring an insane statistic of 133 of the team's 144 goals, he went on to try out for the Verdun Juniors at the age of 18. At his first training camp, his bursts of speed earned him the nickname "The Rocket."

Flashing forward, Richard was called up to the NHL for his debut in 1942, but the 1943-44 season was where the Rocket took over, scoring 23 goals in his last 18 regular-season games, just warming up for an incredible playoff performance where he scored 5 goals in one night and was named the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd star of the game.

""Not only will he be a star, but he'll be the biggest star in hockey""

Dick Irvine (Canadiens Coach, 1942)

The Montreal Canadiens established an identity with Richard, as a promising player evolved into a cultural icon and the face of the city. More than just his unparalleled speed and skill, much of his memorability stemmed from his relentless drive and competitive spirit, which was evident in his fiery passion for the game, making him beloved by many fans.

The Numbers Don't Lie:

-First player to score 50 goals in 50 games (1944-1945)
-Eight Stanley Cups (five consecutive championships)
-First player to score 500 goals
-Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy -> awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in the NHL

1. Changes to the game: Richard Riot

Richard's on-ice altercation with a player and a referee resulted in a suspension for the remainder of the 1995 season, including the playoffs. The president of the NHL, Clarence Campbell, had decided this, shocking fans, as the harshest punishment dealt so far. Thousands of fans rioted on the streets and caused massive property damage, injury, and arrests.

The aftermath of this was the pressure the NHL faced to reconsider how it handled player discipline, enforcement, and communication with teams and fans. This incident was a turning point in modernizing how player behaviour was governed, responses to controversy, and that star players were not above the game. Calling for more consistency and transparency, Maurice Richard's passion, intensity, and the cultural earthquake that the Richard Riot caused helped shape a more accountable and structured league.

2. Changes to the game: Power Play Rule Change

The Montreal Canadiens had an insanely dominant power play in the mid-1950s, featuring Rocket Richard. Before the rule change, a team could score multiple goals during the 2-minute power play, and the penalized player would remain in the box for the entire duration, regardless of how many goals were scored. The dominance the Canadiens had on power plays was infamous as the driver of the rule change in 1956, which still reigns true today. If the opposing team scores a goal during a 2-minute penalty, the penalized player is released from the penalty box, and play resumes 5v5. This rule put an end to the tyrannical domination that the Canadiens had been utilizing for a 2-minute penalty and the ensuing 4v5 for the entire duration.

While today's players may now skate faster, shoot harder, and rack up more points, there is a timeless quality to Richard's legacy and impact on the game that was more than just his stats. His place in Canadiens history is cemented by his on-ice brilliance and the way he shaped the sport itself, and while there will always be debate on the best player in Canadiens history, this one is just a fact. Maurice "Rocket" Richard's legacy is woven into the fabric of the Canadiens. And that's no rocket science.