Mike Bossy, left, equalled the Rocket's scoring mark.

50 goals in 50 games refers to the act of scoring 50 goals in the first 50 games of a National Hockey League season. Scoring fifty goals in fifty (or fewer) games in the NHL is a renowned achievement, widely considered the true bench mark of the greatest goal scorers. For comparison, in the most recent NHL season (2005-06), the goal-scoring race was won with 56 goals over an 82-game schedule by Jonathan Cheechoo and in the 2003-04 season, the goal-scoring race was tied between Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk with 41 goals each over 82 games. Image File history File links This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... Image File history File links This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... NHL redirects here. ... The modernized NHL shield logo was introduced for the 2005-06 season. ... The Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy was donated by the Montreal Canadiens hockey club in 1999 to be awarded annually to the goal-scoring leader during the National Hockey League regular season. ... Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Earl Cheechoo known as the Cheechoo Train, (born July 15, 1980 in Moose Factory, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. ... The 2003-04 NHL season was the 87th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... Rick Nash (born June 16, 1984, in Brampton, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey Left Wing in the NHL, playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. ... Jarome Iginla (born July 1, 1977 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk (Russian: Илья Валерьевич Ковальчук, Ilja Valerjevič Kovalčuk; born April 15, 1983, in Tver, USSR) is a professional ice hockey player. ...

The NHL officially defines "50 goals in 50 games" to mean that a player scores 50 goals in the team's first 50 games of the season, not the player's first 50. This feat has been officially done eight times by five different players.

Maurice Richard

• 1944-45: 50 in 50 games (50 in 50)

The 1944-45 season had a 50 game schedule. Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens was the first player to score 50 goals, astounding the hockey world. While many who followed scored 50 goals once the length of the season was expanded, for the next 35 seasons nobody else would score 50 goals in 50 games. The then-unmatched feat led many to declare the Rocket to be greatest scorer of all time. The 1944-45 season was the 28th NHL season. ... Joseph-Henri-Maurice Rocket Richard PC, CC, OQ (born August 4, 1921 in Laval, Quebec, Canada, died May 27, 2000 in Montreal, Quebec) was a professional ice hockey player, and played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1942 to 1960. ... The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest established National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. ...

On the other hand, a number of contemporary commentators noted that NHL rosters of that time were badly watered down due to many stars serving in World War II. Richard would never again score 50 goals in a season. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States France Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Charles de Gaulle Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hirohito Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead...

Mike Bossy

• 1980-81: 50 in 50 games (50 in 50)

Many thought it would be impossible to duplicate Maurice Richard’s 50 in 50. Then, in the 1980-81 season, Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders became only the second player to score 50 goals in 50 games. He scored twice within the last five minutes of his 50th game. He finished the season with 68 goals in 79 games. The 1980-81 NHL season was the 64th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Michael Mike Bossy (born in Montreal, Quebec, on January 22, 1957) was an ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders during their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s. ... The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York, a city located on Long Island. ...

Wayne Gretzky

• 1981-82: 61 in 50 games (50 in 39)
• 1983-84: 61 in 50 games (50 in 42)
• 1984-85: 53 in 50 games (50 in 49)

While people were still marvelling at what Bossy had just accomplished, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers demolished the "50 in 50" mark. In Gretzky’s 38th game, he scored 4 goals, giving him 45 on the season. It was expected that Gretzky would break the "50 in 50" record, but no one could have predicted what happened next. In his very next game, on December 30, 1981, he scored 5 goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to give him the record of 50 goals in only 39 games. He had 50 goals before anybody else even had 30, and finished with an NHL-record 92 goals on the season. The classic NHL shield logo The 1981-82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. ... The 1983-84 NHL season was the 67th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The 1984-85 NHL season was the 68th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... December 30 is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 1 day remaining. ... See also: 1980 in sports, other events of 1981, 1982 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Auto Racing Stock car racing: NASCAR Championship - Darrell Waltrip Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 CART Racing - Rick Mears won the season championship May 25 - Indianapolis 500 - Bobby Unser Formula One... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

Gretzky would go on to score 50 goals in less than 50 games two more times in his career. He did it in 1983-84 when he scored his 50th goal in the team's 42nd game and again in 1984-85 when he scored his 50th in the team's 49th game.

Mario Lemieux

• 1988-89: 54 in 50 games (50 in 46)

Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins was the next player to score 50 in 50 or less, achieving the feat on January 20, 1989. Super Mario's 50th goal officially came in game 46, which was Lemieux's 44th game of the season. He finished the season with 85 goals, and at that time, third only to Gretzky’s 92 and 87. Regular Season Final standings Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points ... Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965, in Montréal, Québec, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Brett Hull

• 1990-91: 52 in 50 games (50 in 49)
• 1991-92: 50 in 50 games (50 in 50)

Brett Hull, son of the famous Bobby Hull, was a natural goal-scorer. He scored 50 goals in 50 games or less twice in his career for the St. Louis Blues. He first did it in the 1990-91 season when Hull scored his 50th goal, and second of the game, against rookie goalie Dave Gagnon on January 25, 1991, in the Blues' 49th game, at Detroit. Hull finished the season with 86 goals, trailing only Gretzky's 92 and 87. The 1990-91 NHL season was the 74th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The 1991-92 NHL season was the 75th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Robert Marvin Hull (born January 3, 1939) was a Canadian ice hockey player. ... The St. ... David Anthony Gagnon was born in Windsor, Ontario on October 31, 1967. ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 1990-91 NHL season was the 74th regular season of the National Hockey League. ...

His second time — the most recent season the feat was achieved — was during the next season (1991-92). On January 28, 1992, The Golden Brett scored his 50th goal against goalie Kelly Hrudey in game number 50, a 3-3 tie in Los Angeles, answering a Gretzky goal. The 1991-92 NHL season was the 75th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... January 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Kelly Hrudey is a former NHL ice hockey goaltender and current hockey broadcaster with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. ...

Unofficial 50 in 50 scorers

Cam Neely unofficially reached 50 goals in 44 games.

The following players scored fifty goals in their fiftieth game or less in a single season, but do not officially qualify for 50-in-50 status because the NHL requires a player to have scored his 50th goal in his team's 50th game or less. This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ...

Anders Hedberg and Bobby Hull (1974-75) of the Winnipeg Jets became the first player in the history of major league hockey to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 games. He broke the record established 22 seasons earlier by Montreal's Rocket Richard and matched in 1974-75 by Bobby Hull. Hedberg scored 51 goals in 49 games. Both Hull's and Hedberg's achievements are overlooked, as they took place outside of NHL controlled rinks. Anders Hedberg (born February 25, 1951 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) is a retired former professional ice hockey player who was one of the first European-born players to make an impact in North America. ... Robert Marvin Hull (born January 3, 1939) was a Canadian ice hockey player. ... World Hockey Association logo The 1974-75 WHA season was the second season of the now defunct World Hockey Association. ...

Jari Kurri (1984-85) of the Edmonton Oilers scored his 50th goal in his 50th game of the season, which was his team's 53rd game. He finished with 71 goals for the year. Jari Pekka Kurri (born May 18, 1960, in Helsinki, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger. ... The 1984-85 NHL season was the 68th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ...

Alexander Mogilny (1992-93) of the Buffalo Sabres scored his 50th goal in his 46th game of the season, which was his team's 53rd game. He finished with 76 goals for the year. Alexander Mogilny (Александр Геннадиевич Могильный, Aleksandr Gennadijevič Mogilnyj) born on February 18, 1969, in Khabarovsk, USSR (now Russia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... The 1992-93 NHL season was the 76th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ...

Mario Lemieux (1992-93 & 1995-96) scored 50 in 50 two more times after his official 50 in 50 in the 1988-89 season. In the 1992-93 season he scored his 50th goal in his 48th game, which was his team's 72nd game. He was plagued by injury that year, and finished with a total of 69 goals in 60 games played, scoring a remarkable 19 goals in his remaining 12 games. In the 1995-96 season he scored his 50th goal in his 50th game (the team's 59th), and finished the season with 69 goals in 70 games. Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965, in Montréal, Québec, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006. ... The 1992-93 NHL season was the 76th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The 1995-96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. ...

Cam Neely (1993-94) of the Boston Bruins scored his 50th goal in his 44th game — faster than any player other than Gretzky and Lemieux — which was his team's 66th game. He was likewise plagued with injury that year — not like his naïve boast of "I'm indomitable" at all — and only played a total of 49 games, failing to score a goal in his remaining five games after reaching fifty. Cameron Cam Michael Neely (born June 6, 1965, in Comox, British Columbia) played right wing in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. ... The 1993-94 NHL season was the 77th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ...

Near misses

• Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks scored his 50th goal in his 52nd game in 1965-66.

• Charlie Simmer of the Los Angeles Kings scored his 50th goal in his 51st game in 1980-81.

• Mario Lemieux scored his 50th goal in his 51st game in 1987-88.

• Bernie Nicholls of the Los Angeles Kings scored his 50th goal in his 51st game in 1988-89.

Robert Marvin Hull (born January 3, 1939) was a Canadian ice hockey player. ... The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1965-66 season was the 49th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Charlie Simmer (born March 20, 1954, in Terrace Bay, Ontario) was an Ice Hockey forward in the National Hockey League from the 1974-75 season to the 1987-88 season. ... The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The 1980-81 NHL season was the 64th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965, in Montréal, Québec, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006. ... The classic NHL shield logo The 1987-88 NHL season was the 71st regular season of the National Hockey League. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Regular Season Final standings Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points ...

See also

• List of NHL statistical leaders
• List of NHL players with 100 point seasons

This is a list of NHL Statistical leaders. ... This is a List of NHL players who have scored more than 100 points in a regular season. ...

References

• National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2005, published by Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• nhl.com
• Beckett Hockey Monthly, issue #50, December 1994.

External links

• 50 in 39