- Richard beat Glenn Hall of Chicago to become the first NHL player to score 500 regular-season goals. (October 19, 1957)
- Scored his 326th regular-season goal against Chicago to surpass Nels Stewart as the NHL's all-time leader. (November 8, 1952)
- Richard was given a match penalty for deliberately injuring Hal Laycoe in a game against the Boston Bruins. A formal inquiry took place after which NHL president Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for the remainder of the season. This decision came when the Rocket was leading the NHL in scoring and his team, the Montreal Canadiens, were battling for first place. Outraged Habs fans pelted Campbell with eggs when he tried to take his seat at the Montreal Forum for a game against Detroit the following St. Patrick's Day. The crowd became so unruly that the game was forfeited to the Red Wings and the building evacuated. A riot ensued outside, causing $500,000 in damage and leaving some deep wounds, particularly among the Francophone community. (March 13, 1955)
- Richard became the first player in NHL history to score eight points in one game. (December 28, 1944)
- The NHL's first 50-goal scorer in (1944-1945.)
- Won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, including a record five consecutive Cups (1956 - 1960)
- Dubbed the Rocket by sportswriter Baz O'Meara because of his blazing speed.
- His father, Onesime Richard, was a machinist for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
- Was given a state funeral that was broadcast across Canada, the first time such an honour was accorded an athlete.
- NHL board of governors voted to honour Richard with a trophy in his name to be presented annually to the league's top goal scorer. (June 25, 1998)
- No. 62 on The Associated Press list of the top 100 athletes of the 20th century
- Children: Huguette, Maurice Jr., Normand, André, Suzanne, Paul and Jean
- First All-Star Team Right Wing (1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1956). Hart Memorial Trophy (1947). Second All-Star Team Right Wing (1944, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957).
- In 1983, when the Montreal daily La Presse conducted a survey of the top men of the 20th century, Richard trailed only folk singing legend Felix Leclerc.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.
- Played right wing for the Montreal Canadians (1942-1960).
- Richard worked as a representative for Molson Breweries and S. Albert Oil Limited later on in his life.
- Brother of Henri Richard.
- He wore the number 9 in honour of his first daughter who was 9 pounds at birth.
- He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on July 6, 1967 and the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on May 6, 1998 for his services to sports.
- Named Celebrity Captain by the Montreal Canadiens during the 75th Anniversary of the National Hockey League.
- Inducted to Canada's Walk of Fame in 1999.
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