No matter what sports anyone of us in this blog site watch and admire there are players who at least should come up in conversastion and especially among sports enhtusiasts written about once in a while.  So after much reading of articles on this site and blog wars with people who think they know about the NHL I have not seen any mention of this person who set records and played a style of hockey that would still be productive and record setting in this "New World" NHL.  Maurice "the Rocket" Richard.

He played for the Monteal Canadiens and was Gordie Howe's favorite player to watch and compete against.  His career was before the players wore helmets and when composite sticks were not even thought of.  The wooden stick with very little flexibilty was the propelling force of the rocket slapshot Maurice had.  When goalie padding  was thin the goal tender would stand and stop 70-80 mph pucks either fired at the head, mid-section, and legs.  Maurice was a player who was respected by goal tenders and feared at the same time.

Maurice Richard was the NHL's first player to record 50 goal season. He accomplished this in 50 games.  A goal a game in 1944-45 season.  This was not repeated until 1980-81 by Mike Bossy who played for the New York Islanders. 

His career stats are just as stunning:

Games Played: 978

Goals: 544

Assists: 421

Total Points combined: 965

PIM/ Penalties in Minutes for career: 1285

Maurice Richard is a legend of the game who played 18 NHL seasons.  He is in the Hockey Hall fame.  His hall of fame career started in 1942.  Ended in 1960.  Maurice Richard is a player that I would like to have watched play live.  Now I watch only highlight film from this man's illustrious career.

 Maurice "the Rocket" Richard born: August 4, 1921-died May 27, 2000.

For more information and season by season statistics and picture gallery of Maurice Richard visit the NHL Hall of Fame website:

www.hhof.com