Sept. 15, 1960

Montreal Canadien right wing Maurice Richard, the man many call the Babe Ruth of hockey, retires at age 39 as the leading goal scorer in NHL history with 544 regular-season goals. (First, Gordie Howe and then Wayne Gretzky will break this record.) Among The Rocket's plethora of records is his mark of becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, in the 1944-45 season.

During his 18-year career, all with Montreal, the fiery Richard was all-league first-team eight times and second-team six times. He helped the Canadiens win eight Stanley Cups, including his last five seasons. Three years of nagging injuries caused the Canadien captain, one of the game's most exciting and explosive players, to retire.