The Maurice Richard Trophy is dominated by Russian sharpshooter Ovechkin. Take a look at the history of this individual trophy

The Maurice Richard Trophy is one of the NHL’s youngest trophies, awarded since the 1998-99 season. It is awarded to the top scorer after the regular season. The trophy is named after legendary player Maurice Richard, who became the first player in history to score 50 goals in a season.

Richard accomplished this feat in the 1943/44 war season. A year later, he became the first hockey player in history to score 50 goals in the first 50 games.

Unlike the Art Ross Trophy, the number of games played is not a factor. That’s why in the 2003/04 season, for example, three players shared the prize.

Two Czech hockey players also won this trophy. In the 2002/03 season it was Milan Hejduk, who scored 50 goals. In the shortened 2019/20 season, David Pastrňák did the same, scoring 48 goals along with the record holder Alexander Ovechkin.

The Russian sharpshooter is the clear record holder, having reigned as the top scorer nine times in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

The pearl is that 52 goals in the 2000/01 season were not enough for Jaromir Jagr, who in his last season with the Penguins was in a shooting race with Jonathan Cheechee, who scored 4 more goals.

He finished second overall among the top scorers four times and unfortunately this great hockey player never reached this trophy.

List of winners:

• 2023: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers: 64 goals
• 2022: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs: 60 goals
• 2021: Auston Matthews,Toronto Maple Leafs: 41 goals
• 2020: David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins & **AlexanderOvechkin,**Washington Capitals: 48 goals
• 2019: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 51 goals
• 2018: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 49 goals
• 2017: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: 44 goals
• 2016: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 50 goals
• 2015: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 53 goals
• 2014: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 51 goals
• 2013: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 32 goals
• 2012: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning: 60 goals
• 2011: Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks: 50 goals
• 2010: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins & Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning: 51 goals
• 2009: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 56 goals
• 2008: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 65 goals
• 2007: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: 52 goals
• 2006: Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks: 56 goals
• 2004: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers & Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: 41 goals
• 2003: Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche: 50 goals
• 2002: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: 52 goals
• 2001: Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers: 59 goals
• 2000: Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers: 58 goals
• 1999: Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim: 47 goals

Winners before the awards

Of course, NHL history has seen many great goal scorers. Charlie Conacher, for example, has been the top scorer five times. Richard himself would also be a five-time winner.

Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito even dominated the scorers table six times. And legend Wayne Gretzky would also win the award five times.

Source: NHL