An updated article on Henri Richard can be found here: Henri Richard
An updated article on Maurice Richard can be found here: Maurice Richard
Fifteen years separated the brothers in age but their NHL hockey card rookie cards were just six years apart. Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard and Henri ‘Pocket Rocket’ Richard are the greatest family duo in Montreal Canadiens history and perhaps in all of hockey.
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The Maurice Richard rookie card appeared in the 1951-52 Parkhurst series. Since mainstream hockey cards had been absent for over a decade, the Richard rookie card came about when the Rocket’s career was half over. Six years later, the Henri Richard rookie card was part of the 1957-58 Parkhurst set. Ironically, both Richard rookie cards were card number 4.
Maurice played eighteen seasons with the Canadiens from 1942-43 until 1959-60. He was the first player to score 50 goals in a single season, doing so during the 1944-45 season. He played exactly 50 games that season, also making him the first player to score 50 in 50. Despite eight Stanley Cups and being considered as one of the greatest players of all-time, Richard won just one major individual award, the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP in 1946-47.
The Rocket’s rookie card is valued at $1500, one of three cards to be valued over $1000 from that 1951-52 Parkhurst set. Of course, the Gordie Howe rookie card leads that way, valued at $3000. Following close behind Richard is the rookie card of Terry Sawchuk, valued at $1200. The set also featured the only true hockey card with Bill Barilko featured, #52 with Barilko scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal on Montreal’s Al McNeil.
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Henri played with the Habs for 20 seasons from 1955-56 to 1974-75, winning the Stanley Cup his first five years in the league. More of setup man than his brother, Henri had his best offensive season in 1957-58 with 80 points, placing him second in league scoring, four points behind teammate Dickie Moore. Moore played three more games than Richard that season.
The Pocket Rocket’s rookie card is the highlight of the 1957-58 Parkhurst series. At a suggested value of $600, it is the highest valued
hockey card in the set. The set also featured rookie cards of Frank Mahovlich ($500), Bob Pulford ($150) and Bobby Baun ($100).
How do the Richard brothers stack up head to head?
| Category | Maurice | Henri |
| Regular Season | ||
| Seasons | 18 | 20 |
| Games | 978 | 1256 |
| Goals | 544 | 358 |
| Assists | 421 | 688 |
| Points | 965 | 1046 |
| PIM | 1285 | 928 |
| Playoffs | ||
| Stanley Cups | 8 | 11 |
| Games | 133 | 180 |
| Goals | 82 | 49 |
| Assists | 44 | 80 |
| Points | 126 | 129 |
| PIM | 188 | 181 |
Maurice was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. He is one of the few to have his three year waiting period to be considered for the Hall waived. Henri followed 18 years later in 1979. Both brothers have their jersey numbers retired by the Montreal Canadiens. The number 9 of Maurice was retired in 1960. The number 16 of Henri was retired in 1975.