Question 1

True or false: The NHL's Rocket Richard Trophy was created in 1999 to honor his legacy as the league's top goal-scorer.

Accepted Answer

True. Awarded annually to the leading goal scorer, it was introduced by the Canadiens and named after Richard in 1999.

Question 2

True or false: Richard was the first player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.

Accepted Answer

True. He reached 500 goals on October 19, 1957, becoming the first NHL player to do so, a milestone that defined his legacy.

Question 3

True or false: Rocket Richard once scored 50 goals in 50 games, a feat unmatched in NHL history until Mike Bossy.

Accepted Answer

False. Richard scored 50 in 50 in 1944-45, but Maurice 'Rocket' Richard actually did it first; Bossy matched but didn't surpass the milestone.

Question 4

True or false: He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP only once in his career.

Accepted Answer

True. Richard won the Hart in 1947, despite leading the league in goals five times; voters often favored all-around players.

Question 5

True or false: Richard was the first NHL player to wear a helmet full-time.

Accepted Answer

False. He rarely wore a helmet; George Parsons was the first, and Richard only donned one briefly after a 1958 injury.

Question 6

True or false: The Richard Riot was triggered by a suspension for hitting an official.

Accepted Answer

False. The riot followed his suspension for punching a linesman, but the real spark was perceived league bias against French-Canadian players.

Question 7

True or false: Richard's nickname 'Rocket' came from a sportswriter after he scored a hat trick in his first NHL game.

Accepted Answer

False. He earned 'Rocket' from teammates for his explosive speed, not a writer; his first game hat trick helped but didn't coin the name.

Question 8

True or false: Richard once played an entire playoff game with a broken ankle and still scored the winning goal.

Accepted Answer

True. In the 1951 Stanley Cup semifinals, he played on a fractured ankle and scored the series-clinching goal against Detroit.

Rocket Richard Trivia Questions