Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy

Description: First awarded in 1998-99, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy is presented annually “to the player finishing the regular season as the League’s goal-scoring leader.”

History: A gift to the NHL from the Montreal Canadiens in 1999, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy honors one of the game’s greatest stars. During his 18-year career with the Canadiens from 1942-43 through 1959-60, Richard was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season and 500 in his career. He played on eight Stanley Cup champion teams and led the League in goals five times.

2025-26 Winner: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored a League-leading 53 goals in 80 appearances (53-74—127) to finish two ahead of Cole Caufield (51 G in 81 GP) of the Montreal Canadiens and claim his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as well as the second in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history, after Milan Hejduk in 2002-03 (50 G in 82 GP). MacKinnon, who recorded his second 50-goal season (following 2023-24: 51 G in 82 GP), became the third player in franchise history to reach the milestone multiple times, joining Michel Goulet (4) and Joe Sakic (2). MacKinnon paced the NHL in goals (outright or tied) from Nov. 8 onward, finding the back of the net in a League-high 39 of his 80 total contests (48.8%) to power Colorado to the NHL’s best offense (3.63 G/GP) as well as the fourth Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. MacKinnon additionally topped the League in multi-goal games (14), even-strength goals (42), even-strength points (97), plus/minus (+57) and shots on goal (350) – the third straight season and fifth time overall he has led the NHL in the latter category.