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Rocket Richard Trophy: What It Is + Every Winner

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy represents pure goal-scoring excellence in the National Hockey League, awarded annually to the player (or players) who light the lamp most often during the regular season. As one of the NHL's newest major awards, first presented in 1999, the Rocket Richard Trophy honors the memory of one of hockey's most electrifying and influential players while celebrating a skill that captivates fans more than any other: putting the puck in the net. Unlike most NHL awards with elaborate tiebreaking procedures, the Rocket Richard Trophy embraces the possibility of multiple winners when players finish tied in goals. This unique approach has resulted in several shared victories, making the award distinctive among major professional sports honors.

January 25, 2026

The Legend Behind the Trophy

Maurice "Rocket" Richard revolutionized goal scoring during his 18-season career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1942 to 1960. His achievements include:

First player to score 50 goals in one season (1944-45)
Achieved it in exactly 50 games, creating the legendary "50 in 50"
First player to reach 500 career goals
Finished with 544 goals (then the all-time NHL record)
Led league in goal scoring five times
Won eight Stanley Cups, including five consecutive (1956-60)

Richard's 50-in-50 feat shattered Joe Malone's 27-year-old record of 44 goals. It stood alone until Mike Bossy matched it 36 years later, and it remains one of hockey's most celebrated achievements.

Despite his scoring prowess, Richard never won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading point scorer. He finished as runner-up multiple times, most notably losing by a single point to teammate Bernie Geoffrion in 1954-55.

The Canadiens donated the trophy to the NHL in 1999, recognizing Richard's explosive style, intense competitiveness, and cultural significance as a French-Canadian icon whose accomplishments transcended sport.

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Award Criteria and Unique Rules

The Rocket Richard Trophy goes to whoever scores the most goals during the NHL's 82-game regular season. The unique aspect is how ties are handled:

No Tiebreakers:

If multiple players tie for the goal-scoring lead, they all win
Unlike the Art Ross (which uses goals, games played, earliest goal as tiebreakers)
Reflects philosophy that goals are discrete, dramatic events deserving equal recognition
Has resulted in three shared victories since 1999

The Three Shared Victories:

2003-04: Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, and Ilya Kovalchuk (41 goals each)

Only three-way tie in Rocket Richard history
Second three-way tie for any goal-scoring race ever in NHL

2009-10: Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos (51 goals each)

Stamkos scored his 51st into empty net with seconds left
Both teams played final games simultaneously
Crosby pressed hard but couldn't add to his total

2019-20: Alexander Ovechkin and David Pastrnak (48 goals each)

COVID-19 pandemic ended season three weeks early
Both players frozen at 48 goals when play stopped

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Alexander Ovechkin: The Rocket's Heir

Alexander Ovechkin has dominated the Rocket Richard Trophy era with a record nine victories, more than quadruple any other player's total. His unprecedented dominance includes:

Ovechkin's Nine Rocket Richard Wins:

2007-08: 65 goals (highest since Lemieux's 69 in 1995-96)
2008-09: 56 goals
2012-13: 32 goals (lockout-shortened season)
2013-14: 51 goals
2014-15: 53 goals
2015-16: 50 goals
2017-18: 49 goals
2018-19: 51 goals
2019-20: 48 goals (shared with Pastrnak)

Additional Ovechkin Records:

Oldest player to win Rocket Richard (age 34 in 2019-20)
Most 40-goal seasons in NHL history (13)
Tied for most 50-goal seasons with Bossy and Gretzky (9)
Surpassed Gretzky's all-time goals record in April 2025
Cemented as greatest goal scorer in hockey history

If the Rocket Richard Trophy had existed throughout hockey history, Gretzky would have won five times based on his goal-scoring titles. That's still well behind Ovechkin's nine.

Multiple Winners

Only five players have won the Rocket Richard Trophy more than once:

Pavel Bure (2 wins: 1999-00, 2000-01)

The "Russian Rocket" won consecutive titles with Florida Panthers
Scored 58 goals followed by 59 goals
Explosive skating and shooting made him most exciting player of era
Back-to-back wins in trophy's first three years

Jarome Iginla (2 wins: 2001-02, 2003-04)

Calgary Flames captain and franchise icon
First win: 52 goals in 2001-02
Second win: Shared three-way tie with 41 goals
Combined skill, toughness, and consistency

Steven Stamkos (2 wins: 2009-10, 2011-12)

Shared first win with Crosby at 51 goals
Won outright with 60 goals in 2011-12
Last 60-goal season in NHL history
One-timer from left circle became feared weapon

Sidney Crosby (2 wins: 2009-10, 2016-17)

Shared first with Stamkos at 51 goals
Scored 44 goals in second win
Goal-scoring prowess often overshadowed by playmaking
Two Rocket Richards prove offensive versatility

Auston Matthews (3 wins: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2023-24)

Only second player after Ovechkin to win more than twice
2023-24: 69 goals set salary cap era record
Surpassed Ovechkin's 65 in 2007-08
Still adding to his total at age 27

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Historic and Surprising Performances

Several Rocket Richard Trophy seasons stand out for unique circumstances:

Teemu Selanne (1998-99): The Inaugural Winner

Scored 47 goals with Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Established baseline for new award
His 76-goal rookie season (1992-93) remains NHL record
Set standard for pure goal-scoring excellence

Jonathan Cheechoo (2005-06): The Surprise Winner

San Jose Sharks winger scored 56 goals
Benefited massively from Joe Thornton's playmaking
Won only Rocket Richard of his career
One of award's most unexpected outcomes

Vincent Lecavalier (2006-07): Two-Way Excellence

Tampa Bay Lightning captain scored 52 goals
Demonstrated complete game beyond just scoring
Elite defensive play alongside offensive production
Defined his prime years

Corey Perry (2010-11): Exactly 50

Anaheim Ducks winger reached exactly 50 goals
One of only 23 players to hit that mark in salary cap era
Round number carries special significance in hockey
Classic goal-scorer's milestone

Connor McDavid (2022-23): Most Since Stamkos

Edmonton Oilers captain scored 64 goals
Most in single season since Stamkos hit 60 in 2011-12
Proved he's not just a playmaker
Silenced critics who said he couldn't be elite goal scorer

Leon Draisaitl (2024-25): McDavid's Linemate

Won with 52 goals playing alongside McDavid
Third time in four seasons an Oiler won Rocket Richard
Edmonton's offensive dominance continues
Dynamic duo sharing goal-scoring glory

Age Milestones and Demographics

The Rocket Richard Trophy spans a wide age range among winners:

Youngest Winners:

Rick Nash: Age 19 (2003-04, shared three-way tie with 41 goals)
Steven Stamkos: Age 19 (2009-10, shared with Crosby at 51 goals)
Both won in teenage years, rare accomplishment

Oldest Winner:

Alexander Ovechkin: Age 34 (2019-20, shared with Pastrnak)
Proved goal-scoring can extend into mid-30s with proper conditioning
Ovechkin continues producing 40+ goal seasons past age 35

Average Age:

Typical Rocket Richard winner is 26.5 years old
Reflects prime years for goal-scoring prowess
Most winners in their mid-to-late 20s

The Hart Trophy Connection

Unlike the Art Ross Trophy (whose winners frequently also capture the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP), Rocket Richard winners less commonly win the Hart in the same season. Only four players have accomplished this double:

Hart and Rocket Richard Same Season:

Alexander Ovechkin: 3 times (2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13)
Corey Perry: Once (2010-11)
Connor McDavid: Once (2022-23)
Auston Matthews: Once (2023-24)

Ovechkin and McDavid are the only two players to win Hart, Rocket Richard, Art Ross, and Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by NHL Players' Association) in the same season.

Eleven players won the Hart in seasons where they led the league in goals before the Rocket Richard Trophy existed. This suggests modern voting has diversified to recognize different forms of value beyond pure goal scoring.

Complete List of Winners (1998-99 to 2024-25)

2024-25: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) - 52 goals First Rocket Richard win for McDavid's longtime linemate.

2023-24: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) - 69 goals Third win, salary cap era record surpassing Ovechkin's 65.

2022-23: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) - 64 goals First Rocket Richard, most goals since Stamkos in 2011-12.

2021-22: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) - 60 goals Second win, matched Stamkos for last 60-goal season.

2020-21: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) - 41 goals First win in shortened COVID season.

2019-20: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 48 goals (shared) Ninth win, oldest Rocket Richard winner.

2019-20: David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) - 48 goals (shared) First win, season cut short by pandemic.

2018-19: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 51 goals Eighth Rocket Richard, age 33.

2017-18: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 49 goals Seventh win, won Stanley Cup same year.

2016-17: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) - 44 goals Second Rocket Richard during back-to-back Cup runs.

2015-16: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 50 goals Sixth win, reached 50-goal milestone again.

2014-15: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 53 goals Fifth Rocket Richard, sustained dominance.

2013-14: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 51 goals Fourth win after lockout-shortened season.

2012-13: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 32 goals Third win in lockout season, won Hart Trophy too.

2011-12: Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) - 60 goals Second win, last 60-goal season in NHL.

2010-11: Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) - 50 goals Only Rocket Richard, won Hart Trophy same year.

2009-10: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) - 51 goals (shared) First win, dramatic finish with Stamkos tying late.

2009-10: Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) - 51 goals (shared) First win, empty-net goal with seconds left tied Crosby.

2008-09: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 56 goals Second consecutive win, won Hart Trophy.

2007-08: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 65 goals First win, highest total since Lemieux in 1995-96.

2006-07: Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning) - 52 goals Only Rocket Richard, two-way excellence.

2005-06: Jonathan Cheechoo (San Jose Sharks) - 56 goals Surprise winner, only Rocket Richard of career.

2004-05: No winner (NHL lockout)

2003-04: Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) - 41 goals (3-way tie) Second win, shared three ways.

2003-04: Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets) - 41 goals (3-way tie) First win at age 19.

2003-04: Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers) - 41 goals (3-way tie) Only Rocket Richard of his career.

2002-03: Milan Hejduk (Colorado Avalanche) - 50 goals Only Rocket Richard, reached 50-goal milestone.

2001-02: Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) - 52 goals First win as Flames captain.

2000-01: Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers) - 59 goals Second consecutive win, 59 goals at age 29.

1999-00: Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers) - 58 goals First win, "Russian Rocket" dominance.

1998-99: Teemu Selanne (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) - 47 goals Inaugural winner, established award's prestige.

Understanding What Goal Scoring Means

Goals are hockey's most exciting plays. Assists matter. Defense matters. But goals decide games. When the clock hits zero, the team with more goals wins. That's it. No style points, no moral victories. Just goals.

The Rocket Richard Trophy celebrates the players who do the hardest thing in hockey: beat the goalie. In an era where save percentages hover around .915 and goalies are massive humans wearing body armor, scoring 40+ goals requires elite shooting, positioning, and timing.

Think about what it takes to win the Rocket Richard:

Shooting accuracy and power
Getting to high-danger areas consistently
Reading plays to be in right spot at right time
Finishing under pressure with defenders draped all over you
Doing it 50+ times in 82 games

That's not luck. That's elite offensive talent.

Maurice Richard's Cultural Impact

Maurice Richard transcended hockey statistics to become a cultural icon, particularly in Quebec, where his achievements symbolized French-Canadian pride during a turbulent era. The 1955 Richard Riot (sparked when NHL president Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for the remainder of the season and playoffs) demonstrated his larger-than-life status.

The trophy bearing his name celebrates not just goal scoring, but the passion, determination, and explosiveness Richard embodied. His nickname "Rocket" captured the speed and power with which he attacked the net.

From Teemu Selanne's inaugural victory to Alexander Ovechkin's record-breaking nine wins, from Auston Matthews's 69-goal masterpiece to Leon Draisaitl's most recent triumph, the Rocket Richard Trophy continues Maurice Richard's legacy by honoring hockey's most thrilling skill.

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