Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy

The Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, also known as the Rocket Richard Trophy, is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was donated to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens in 1998–99 and is named in honour of legendary Montreal Canadiens right winger Maurice “Rocket” Richard. First won by Teemu Selanne, it is currently held by Auston Matthews who scored 69 goals last season.

Who Has Won the Most Rocket Richard Trophies?

Since the Rocket Richard Trophy was first awarded after the 1998-99 season, Wayne Gretzky does not appear on this particular leaderboard. That honour belongs to the “Great 8” Alexander Ovechkin. He has won the trophy nine times, with Pavel Bure, Jarome Iginla, Steven Stamkos, and Sidney Crosby tied for second with only two.

How Many Rocket Richard Trophies Would Wayne Gretzky Have?

During the many seasons that Gretzky led the NHL in goals, he would have five Rocket Richard Trophies. So the Great 8 would still have the jump on the Great One in this particular category if the trophy was unveiled earlier than 1999.

Deeper Dive

• Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak Shares Rocket Richard Trophy
• Maurice Richard: The Rocket’s Legacy Lives on in the NHL
• The NHL’s 50-Goal Scorers – 10 Things You Need to Know

Oldest & Youngest Rocket Richard Winners

Youngest to win the award: 19-years old, Rick Nash – 2003-04, 41 goals & Steven Stamkos – 2009-10, 51 goals

Oldest player to win the award: 34-years old, Alexander Ovechkin – 2019-20, 49 goals

Average age: 26.5-years old

Rocket Richard Trophy Winners

Season	Winner	Team	Goals	Win #
1998–99	Teemu Selanne	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	47	1 (3)
1999–2000	Pavel Bure	Florida Panthers	58	1 (2)
2000–01	Pavel Bure	Florida Panthers	59	2 (3)
2001–02	Jarome Iginla	Calgary Flames	52	1
2002–03	Milan Hejduk	Colorado Avalanche	50	1
2003–04	Jarome Iginla	Calgary Flames	41	2
2003–04	Rick Nash	Columbus Blue Jackets	41	1
2003–04	Ilya Kovalchuk	Atlanta Thrashers	41	1
2004–05	NHL Lockout – No Winner	–	–	–
2005–06	Jonathan Cheechoo	San Jose Sharks	56	1
2006–07	Vincent Lecavalier	Tampa Bay Lightning	52	1
2007–08	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	65	1
2008–09	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	56	2
2009–10	Sidney Crosby	Pittsburgh Penguins	51	1
2009–10	Steven Stamkos	Tampa Bay Lightning	51	1
2010–11	Corey Perry	Anaheim Ducks	50	1
2011–12	Steven Stamkos	Tampa Bay Lightning	60	2
2012–13*	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	32	3
2013–14	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	51	4
2014–15	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	53	5
2015–16	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	50	6
2016–17	Sidney Crosby	Pittsburgh Penguins	44	2
2017–18	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	49	7
2018–19	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	51	8
2019–20**	Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	48	9
2019–20**	David Pastrnak	Boston Bruins	48	1
2020–21**	Auston Matthews	Toronto Maple Leafs	41	1
2022–23	Connor McDavid	Edmonton Oilers	64	1
2023-24	Auston Matthews	Toronto Maple Leafs	69	2