How Many Stanley Cups Did Maurice “Rocket” Richard Win?

Maurice “Rocket” Richard began his 18-year career with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1942-1943 season. For nearly the next two decades, Rocket Richard cemented his legacy as one of the best wingers to ever do it, particularly for the Canadiens. Most notably, Richard finished his career with 14 All-Star appearances and even earned a Hart Trophy in the 1946-1947 season. He led the league in goals 2 times and led in assists 5 times. While Rocket was a stud on the ice, how many Stanley Cups did he win his career?

Rocket Richard won 8 Stanley Cups, all of which came with the Montreal Canadiens. 8 Cups has him tied for 5th all-time. He won two of them early in his career during the 1943-1944 and 1945-1946 seasons. Rocket tacked on a third in the 1952-1953 season and then proceeded to win 5 in a row from 1956-1960.

Stanley Cup Finals 1944: Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks

Rocket was only in his second season as a pro for this Cup run, but he still managed to score 32 goals and notch 22 assists during the regular season. The Canadiens were able to easily sweep the Blackhawks in 4 games. Richard finished the series with 5 goals and 2 assists. He also finished the playoffs as the leading scorer with 12 goals.

Stanley Cup Finals 1946: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

Richard again finished the playoffs as the top goal scorer, tied with teammate Toe Blake with 7 goals. The Canadiens faced the Boston Bruins this year, finishing the Bruins in 5 games. Richard finished the series with 3 goals and 2 assists, His first goal was in Game 1, in which he scored the game winner in overtime.

Stanley Cup Finals 1953: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

After a 70 goal regular season, Richard was on a tear to reach another Cup. In the 5-game series against Boston, Rocket managed to score 4 goals and 1 assist to boot. This Cup came at a peculiar time in his career, as it had been 7 years since his last Stanley, and it would be another 3 years before his magnificent 5 Cup run to end his career.

Stanley Cup Finals 1956: Montreal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings

Rocket was towards the end of his career at this point, but he was by no means done winning Stanley Cups, this being the first in his 5 Cup run. At the age of 34, Richard was more than just a veteran leader, finishing the series with 2 goals and 2 assists. The Canadiens took down the Red Wings, led by Gordie Howe, in just 5 games.

Stanley Cup Finals 1957: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

Facing their old rivals from Boston, Montreal won this Cup in 5 games. Richard again reprised his role as both a leader and highly skilled forward, finishing the series with 4 goals. At this point, Richard was essential in the development of another promising young forward and his little brother, Henri Richard. The young Richard, known as “Pocket Rocket,” went on to win a record 11 Stanley Cups, much in thanks to Rocket’s contributions.

Stanley Cup 1958: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

The Canadiens again faced the Bruins. This time, they took the series in 6 games. Rocket Richard returned to scoring form and led the playoffs in goals again with 11. Of those 11 goals, 4 came in the Finals where he also added 1 assist.

Stanley Cup 1959: Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Richard, now 37, was not nearly effective this year. In fact, he only played in 3 of the 5 games in the series. Because of his lack of ice time, Rocket went pointless in this Stanley Cup. However, he did manage to get 2 minutes of penalty time.

Stanley Cup 1960: Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

This time, the Canadiens were able to take Toronto in a sweep. Richard played all 4 games and tallied 1 goal and 2 assists. This would be Rocket’s final Stanley Cup, bringing his grand total to an impressive 8 Cups.

Watch: Rare footage of Rocket Richard scoring his 500th goal:

Rocket Richard retired after the 1960 season, capping off his prolific career with 5 straight Stanley Cups. He forever embedded himself in the culture of Montreal hockey, and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, as the league waived their 3-year waiting period for him.

Richard would finish his career with 544 goals and 422 assists, leaving him just short of 1,000 points with 966. To further his legacy in the game of hockey, the Canadiens donated the first Rocket Richard Trophy in the 1998-1999 season to be awarded to the league’s leading goal scorer. Most recently, Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Auston Matthews earned this trophy in the 2020-2021 season.

See how many Stanley Cups other NHL players have won:

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• Steven Stamkos
• Martin St. Louis