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Rocket's record 500 goals

Broadcast Date: Oct. 22, 1957

To the roar of the crowd, Maurice Richard nets his record-setting 500th career goal with a ferocious slapshot. The Montreal Canadiens will go on to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 in this historic game on Oct. 19, 1957. At age 36, the Rocket is the oldest player in the National Hockey League but he continues to astound players and fans with his consistent and dominating play, as heard in this CBC Radio clip.

Rocket's record 500 goals

• Richard was the first player to register 500 career goals. He accomplished this feat in 863 regular season games. By 1957, Richard had also netted 70 goals in Stanley Cup playoff action.
• Richard had good luck playing against the formidable Blackhawks, scoring his 100th, 200th, 400th, and 500th goals against the Chicago team.

• Richard dedicated the puck to the memory of the late Dick Irvin, former Canadiens coach.
• The Toronto Star reported on the momentous event, recalling: "The cheers of delirious fans shook the rafters of the ancient Forum as wave after wave of applause and cheers rolled across the ice in tribute to Richard." (Oct. 21, 1957)
• In the same year, Richard received the Lou Marsh trophy in recognition of being Canada's top athlete. The recipient of this award is selected by Canadian sports writers annually.

• On March 14, 1962, Gordie Howe was the second player to hit the plateau in his 1045th game. The great Wayne Gretzky netted 500 goals in the shortest amount of time, a mere 575 games. As of March 2006, 34 hockey players had reached or surpassed the impressive 500-goal benchmark.
• In 1999, the NHL introduced the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy for the player scoring the most goals in regular season play.

Rocket's record 500 goals

Medium: Radio

Program: Assignment

Broadcast Date: Oct. 22, 1957

Host: Bill McNeil
Reporter: Gordon Sinclair, Jr.

Duration: 3:20

Last updated:
May 17, 2006