Which NHL trophy is awarded each season to the league's top goal scorer?

The Maurice Richard Trophy is awarded each season to the NHL’s leading regular-season goal scorer.

The trophy honors Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard, one of hockey’s most celebrated right wings. Richard was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season and the first to reach 500 career goals. Montreal donated the award to the league in 1999, and it was first presented after the 1998–99 season.

The award recognizes goals scored during the regular season, not playoff goals. Unlike the Art Ross Trophy, which goes to the player with the most total points, the Richard Trophy focuses only on goals. The Hart Memorial Trophy recognizes the league’s most valuable player, while the Ted Lindsay Award is chosen by NHL players for the league’s most outstanding player.

If two or more players finish tied for the goal-scoring lead, they can share the trophy; there is no standard tiebreaker. That makes the award distinct from some other NHL statistical honors and preserves the meaning of being the season’s top goal scorer.