1944-45: Rocket Richard's 50 in 50

The Three Stars:

Rocket Richard Scores 50 Goals In 50 Games - The Montreal Canadiens are paced by Rocket Richard. He scores an unthinkable 50 goals in 50 games, forever making the 50 goal mark one of the most famous numbers in all of hockey.


McCool Overcomes Ulcers - Frank "Ulcers" McCool wins the Calder Trophy as top rookie. He leads the Toronto Maple Leafs to a game 7 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final. He posted 3 shutouts in the final, setting a record.

Ulcers McCool

Hockey Hall of Fame's First Class: The Hockey Hall of Fame is established, though no actual museum would be built for several years. The inaugural class consists of Dan Bain, Hobey Baker, Charlie Gardiner, Eddie Gerard, Frank McGee, Tommy Phillips, Harvey Pulford, Art Ross, Hod Stuart, Georges Vezina and Howie Morenz.

Season Highlights:

• Rocket Richard also set a NHL record (since bettered) when he scored 8 points in one game. He lit up Detroit with 5 goals and 3 assists.
• Montreal's "Punch Line" finishes 1, 2, 3 in NHL scoring. Elmer Lach wins the Art Ross Trophy with 80 points (including a record 54 assists). Richard is 2nd with 73 and Toe Blake 3rd with 67. Lach also wins the Hart Trophy.
• Montreal players are named to 6 of the 7 First All Star Team spots, including all three members of the Punch Line, defenseman Butch Bouchard, Vezina Trophy winning goalie Bill Durnan and coach Dick Irvin.
• Flash Hollett of the Boston Bruins is the other defenseman named to the First All Star Team. He makes history when he scores his 20th goal of the season, the first defenseman to score 20 goals in a season. His record stood until 1968-69 when Bobby Orr scored 21.
• During a 14-3 rout of the New York Rangers, the Boston Bruins score 4 goals in a span of 1 minute and 20 seconds.