Stephane Richer comes in at number 7 on my list of the top-10 scoring right-wingers in the history of the Montreal Canadiens. He is the most recent player to have netted 50 goals in a single season and while the organization has recently managed to finally secure a big, scoring center in Alex Galchenyuk, the right flanks have been lacking in terms of scoring punch outside of the consistent but undersized Brendan Gallagher.
Richer suited up for the Habs in 490 regular season games, scoring 225 goals and adding 196 assists. In his first full season with the team in 1985-1986, he had 21 goals in 65 games. He’d add another 4 during the playoffs, helping rookie goaltending sensation Patrick Roy secure his first Stanley Cup victory. While the 6’2…, 218-lbs natural goal scorer would only win a single championship with the Bleu Blanc et Rouge, he instantly left his mark when he joined the team by standing out with his excessive speed and extremely powerful slap shot.
After parading Lord Stanley’s trophy in the streets of Montreal, he’d use his skills to fill the opposing net 20 times the following campaign. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he’d have a remarkable outing in 1987-1988 by scoring 50 goals and another 51 two years later. In the history of the franchise, only two players have ever pulled off that feat and Richer would go on to win the Molson Cup twice as the Canadiens’ most outstanding player.
Spectacularly, with 45 goals to his name and 2 games left in 1980, he’d go on to score a hat-trick in a match and notch a pair in the final contest in order to permanently engrave his name in the most storied organization’s history books.
Richer along with Tom Chorske would be traded to the New Jersey Devils in 1991 in exchange for (the ever-popular) Kirk Muller and Roland Melanson. He’d go on to win another Stanley Cup in 1995 and would retire after being bounced around a few teams, including a second stint with the Habs that lasted no more than a season and a half.
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In other news, I’m extremely excited to announce that my wonderful colleague Jennifer and I are joining forces in bringing you all our very own podcast!
With two rather different styles, Jennifer and I will allow you, our loyal readers, to truly get a feel for our voices as we tackle the upcoming Amateur Draft, free agency, and a multitude of other topics.
Stay tuned!