Richard was known for his aggressive style of play, which earned him the nickname "The Rocket". He was a nine-time NHL All-Star and won eight Stanley Cup championships with the Canadiens. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and his number 9 was retired by the Canadiens in 1960.
Richard was a prolific goal scorer, leading the NHL in goals five times. He was the first player to score 500 career goals and the first to score 50 goals in one season, a feat he accomplished in 50 games in 1944–45. He was the first player to score eight points in one game, and the first to score a hat-trick in a Stanley Cup Final.
Richard was also a physical player, and was known for his willingness to drop the gloves and fight when necessary. He was suspended multiple times during his career, including a season-long suspension in 1955 for attacking a linesman.
Throughout his career, Richard was a fan favorite in Montreal and was beloved by the city's French-Canadian population. He was a symbol of French-Canadian pride and was seen as a hero by many. He was the first French-Canadian to be named captain of the Canadiens, and his number 9 was the first to be retired by the team.
Richard's career was cut short due to a knee injury, and he retired in 1960. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and is still revered in Montreal.
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