This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2004.
Maurice "Rocket" Richard is almost certainly the best player to have ever played for the most successful franchise in NHL history, the Montreal Canadiens. Beginning his career in 1942, Maurice Richard immediately became a presence on the ice and in the league. One of his earliest memorable feats was becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, something he did during the 1944-45 season. That scoring touch remained with him for the entire span of his 18 year NHL career. The man who was hockey in hockey crazy Quebec, had 143 multiple goal games in his career, 33 of which were hat tricks and 3 of which were 4 goal games. His regular season career goal total was 544 and he was the first NHL player to reach the 500 career goal mark in 1957-58. Richard won five regular season scoring titles during his career, but it was in the playoffs that this hockey great truly shined. While helping the Montreal Canadiens win a hefty eight Stanley Cups during his career, Maurice Richard had 18 game-winning goals in the postseason. Four and a half decades after his retirement, the "Rocket" is still the Canadiens' regular and postseason goal scoring leader. Even more important than his offensive qualities though, was the passion with which Richard played the game, a passion that manifested itself in the form of a very short temper. The most notable of Richard's explosions came in a March, 1955 contest against the Boston Bruins. Richard, in response to a high stick that he took became embroiled in a lengthy tussle with the player who had high sticked him, breaking two sticks over his back and inadvertently punching a linesman twice. The incident resulted in the "Rocket's" suspension for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Despite that and other ugly marks on his record, Maurice "Rocket" Richard will forever be remembered as one of hockey's greatest players, a man who embodied the spirit of hockey. On the front of the jersey is the Canadiens team logo patch done in felt. On the left breast is an "A" done in white on blue felt indicating that he was the alternate captain. On the back of the jersey is the player number "9" quilted on in white on blue numbering. The jersey shows excellent game-use with multiple repair marks, and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The jersey also comes with an additional LOA.