When it comes to single season NHL stats perhaps no statistical milestone is as significant to players and fans as the 50 goal mark. Though players have exceeded it by a wide mark, smashing through the 60, 70, 80 and even 90 goal plateaus none of these numbers seems to hold the same magic as the number 50.
Perhaps the single biggest reason for the “aura” surrounding the 50 goal mark is the 1944-45 accomplishment of legendary Montreal Canadiens sniper Maurice Richard. That year “The Rocket”, playing in an era when goals weren’t exactly scored in bushels, became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals. More impressively was the fact that he accomplished the feat in just 50 games, the exact number of regular season games played by NHL teams in that era. Perhaps even more amazing was the fact that the year Richard scored 50 in 50 he didn’t even win the Hart Trophy!
The 50 goal club had only a single member for well over a decade before Richard finally got some company. Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, another Montreal Canadiens legend, was the next man to do it, though it took him 64 games to hit 50. With longer seasons the flood gates opened in the years to follow with Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk and Vic Hadfield all adding their names in short order.
The number of members in the 50 goal club swelled in the 1970s and absolutely exploded in the 1980s. Players like Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Jari Kurri and Steve Yzerman routinely hit the milestone and then some. Richard’s mark of 50 in 50 was matched by Bossy, then destroyed by Gretzky, who needed just 39 games in 1981-82 to hit the mark. Gretzky would go on to score an NHL record 92 goals that year, a mark surely thought unreachable back in Richard’s heyday.
One notable absence from the 50 goal list is Mr. Hockey. Though he has numerous other accomplishments on his NHL resume, scoring 50 goals in a single season isn’t one of them. To be fair, Howe spent the prime of his career during an era where the seasons were shorter and the goals harder to come by, but it is still surprising.
No defenseman has ever hit the 50 goal mark though a couple have come very close. Paul Coffey once scored 48 for the Edmonton Oilers in a single season, and Bobby Orr wasn’t far off either, netting 46 for the Boston Bruins back in 1974-75.
50 goal seasons started to diminish in the late 90s. Brett Hull, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr lit up opposing goalies in the first half of the decade, but found their numbers start to rapidly decline in the “dead puck era”. 1998-99 was the first non-lockout year since 1969-70 that the league didn’t boast at least one 50 goal scorer.
Today, the 50 goal plateau continues to be an elusive target, though young stars like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos and Corey Perry have all reached the lofty total in recent years. With the incredible athleticism and preparation of today’s NHL goalies it is likely that the 50 goal club will be remaining pretty exclusive for years to come. For a full list of 50 goal scorers by year read on below:
List of NHL 50 Goal Scorers by Year
2010-11 – Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks – 50 goals
2009-10 – Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning – 51 goals
2009-10 – Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins – 51 goals
2009-10 – Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – 50 goals
2008-09 – Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – 56 goals
2007-08 – Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – 65 goals
2007-08 – Ilya Kovalchuk – Atlanta Thrashers – 52 goals
2007-08 – Jarome Iginla – Calgary Flames – 50 goals
2006-07 – Vincent Lecavalier – Tampa Bay Lightning – 52 goals
2006-07 – Dany Heatley – Ottawa Senators – 50 goals
2005-06 – Jonathan Cheechoo – San Jose Sharks – 56 goals
2005-06 – Jaromir Jagr – New York Rangers – 54 goals
2005-06 – Ilya Kovalchuk – Atlanta Thrashers – 52 goals
2005-06 – Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – 52 goals
2005-06 – Dany Heatley – Ottawa Senators – 50 goals
2002-03 – Milan Hejduk – Colorado Avalanche – 50 goals
2001-02 – Jarome Iginla – Calgary Flames – 52 goals
2000-01 – Pavel Bure – Florida Panthers – 59 goals
2000-01 – Joe Sakic – Colorado Avalanche – 54 goals
2000-01 – Jaromir Jagr – Pittsburgh Penguins – 52 goals
1999-00 – Pavel Bure – Florida Panthers – 58 goals
1997-98 – Teemu Selanne – Anaheim Mighty Ducks – 52 goals
1997-98 – Peter Bondra – Washington Capitals – 52 goals
1997-98 – Pavel Bure – Vancouver Canucks – 51 goals
1997-98 – John Leclair – Philadelphia Flyers – 51 goals
1996-97 – Keith Tkachuk – Phoenix Coyotes – 52 goals
1996-97 – Teemu Selanne – Anaheim Mighty Ducks – 51 goals
1996-97 – Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins – 50 goals
1996-97 – John Leclair – Philadelphia Flyers – 50 goals
1995-96 – Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins – 69 goals
1995-96 – Jaromir Jagr – Pittsburgh Penguins – 62 goals
1995-96 – Alexander Mogilny – Vancouver Canucks – 55 goals
1995-96 – Peter Bondra – Washington Capitals – 52 goals
1995-96 – Joe Sakic – Colorado Avalanche – 51 goals
1995-96 – John Leclair – Philadelphia Flyers – 51 goals
1995-96 – Keith Tkachuk – Winnipeg Jets – 50 goals
1995-96 – Paul Kariya – Anaheim Mighty Ducks – 50 goals
1993-94 – Pavel Bure – Vancouver Canucks – 60 goals
1993-94 – Brett Hull – St. Louis Blues – 57 goals
1993-94 – Sergei Fedorov – Detroit Red Wings – 56 goals
1993-94 – Dave Andreychuk – Toronto Maple Leafs – 53 goals
1993-94 – Adam Graves – New York Rangers – 52 goals
1993-94 – Brendan Shanahan – St. Louis Blues – 52 goals
1993-94 – Ray Sheppard – Detroit Red Wings – 52 goals
1993-94 – Mike Modano – Dallas Stars – 50 goals
1993-94 – Cam Neely – Boston Bruins – 50 goals
1992-93 – Teemu Selanne – Winnipeg Jets – 76 goals
1992-93 – Alexander Mogilny – Buffalo Sabres – 76 goals
1992-93 – Mario Lemieux – Pittburgh Penguins – 69 goals
1992-93 – Luc Robitaille – Los Angeles Kings – 63 goals
1992-93 – Pavel Bure – Vancouver Canucks – 60 goals
1992-93 – Steve Yzerman – Detroit Red Wings – 58 goals
1992-93 – Pierre Turgeon – New York Islanders – 58 goals
1992-93 – Kevin Stevens – Pittsburgh Penguins – 55 goals
1992-93 – Brett Hull – St. Louis Blues – 54 goals
1992-93 – Dave Andreychuk – Buffalo Sabres/Toronto Maple Leafs – 54 goals
1992-93 – Pat Lafontaine – Buffalo Sabres – 53 goals
1992-93 – Mark Recchi – Philadelphia Flyers – 53 goals
1992-93 – Brendan Shanahan – St. Louis Blues – 51 goals
1992-93 – Jeremy Roenick – Chicago Blackhawks – 50 goals
1991-92 – Brett Hull – St. Louis Blues – 70 goals
1992-92 – Kevin Stevens – Pittsburgh Penguins – 54 goals
1991-92 – Gary Roberts – Calgary Flames – 53 goals
1991-92 – Jeremy Roenick – Chicago Blackhawks – 53 goals
1990-91 – Brett Hull – St. Louis Blues – 86 goals
1990-91 – Theoren Fleury – Calgary Flames – 51 goals
1990-91 – Cam Neely – Boston Bruins – 51 goals
1990-91 – Steve Yzerman – Detroit Red Wings – 51 goals
1989-90 – Brett Hull – St. Louis Blues – 72 goals
1989-90 – Steve Yzerman – Detroit Red Wings – 62 goals
1989-90 – Brian Bellows – Minnesota North Stars – 55 goals
1989-90 – Cam Neely – Boston Bruins – 55 goals
1989-90 – Pat Lafontaine – New York Islanders – 54 goals
1989-90 – Luc Robitaille – Los Angeles Kings – 52 goals
1989-90 – Gary Leeman – Toronto Maple Leafs – 51 goals
1989-90 – Stephane Richer – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals
1988-89 – Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins – 85 goals
1988-89 – Bernie Nicholls – Los Angeles Kings – 70 goals
1988-89 – Steve Yzerman – Detroit Red Wings – 65 goals
1988-89 – Wayne Gretzky – Los Angeles Kings – 54 goals
1988-89 – Joe Mullen – Calgary Flames – 51 goals
1988-89 – Joe Nieuwendyk – Calgary Flames – 51 goals
1987-88 – Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins – 70 goals
1987-88 – Craig Simpson – Pittsburgh Penguins/Edmonton Oilers – 56 goals
1987-88 – Jimmy Carson – Los Angeles Kings – 55 goals
1987-88 – Luc Robitaille – Los Angeles Kings – 53 goals
1987-88 – Joe Nieuwendyk – Calgary Flames – 51 goals
1987-88 – Steve Yzerman – Detroit Red Wings – 50 goals
1987-88 – Hakan Loob – Calgary Flames – 50 goals
1987-88 – Stephane Richer – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals
1986-87 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 62 goals
1986-87 – Tim Kerr – Philadelphia Flyers – 58 goals
1986-87 – Jari Kurri – Edmonton Oilers – 54 goals
1986-87 – Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins – 54 goals
1986-87 – Dino Ciccarelli – Minnesota North Stars – 52 goals
1985-86 – Jari Kurri – Edmonton Oilers – 68 goals
1985-86 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 61 goals
1985-86 – Tim Kerr – Philadelphia Flyers – 58 goals
1985-86 – Glenn Anderson – Edmonton Oilers – 54 goals
1985-86 – Michel Goulet – Quebec Nordiques – 53 goals
1985-86 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 52 goals
1984-85 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 73 goals
1984-85 – Jari Kurri – Edmonton Oilers – 71 goals
1984-85 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 58 goals
1984-85 – John Ogrodnick – Detroit Red Wings – 55 goals
1984-85 – Michel Goulet – Quebec Nordiques – 55 goals
1984-85 – Tim Kerr – Philadelphia Flyers – 54 goals
1984-85 – Dale Hawerchuk – Winnipeg Jets – 53 goals
1984-85 – Bobby Carpenter – Washington Capitals – 53 goals
1984-85 – Mike Gartner – Washington Capitals – 50 goals
1983-84 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 87 goals
1983-84 – Michel Goulet – Quebec Nordiques – 56 goals
1983-84 – Glenn Anderson – Edmonton Oilers – 54 goals
1983-84 – Tim Kerr – Philadelphia Flyers – 54 goals
1983-84 – Jari Kurri – Edmonton Oilers – 52 goals
1983-84 – Rick Vaive – Toronto Maple Leafs – 52 goals
1983-84 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 51 goals
1983-84 – Mike Bullard – Pittsburgh Penguins – 51 goals
1982-83 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 71 goals
1982-83 – Lanny McDonald – Calgary Flames – 66 goals
1982-83 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 60 goals
1982-83 – Michel Goulet – Quebec Nordiques – 57 goals
1982-83 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 56 goals
1982-83 – Al Secord – Chicago Blackhawks – 54 goals
1982-83 – Rick Vaive – Toronto Maple Leafs – 51 goals
1981-82 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 92 goals
1981-82 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 64 goals
1981-82 – Dennis Maruk – Washington Capitals – 60 goals
1981-82 – Dino Ciccarelli – Minnesota North Stars – 55 goals
1981-82 – Rick Vaive – Toronto Maple Leafs – 54 goals
1981-82 – Blaine Stoughton – Hartford Whalers – 52 goals
1981-82 – Rick Middleton – Boston Bruins – 51 goals
1981-82 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 50 goals
1981-82 – Bryan Trottier – New York Islanders – 50 goals
1981-82 – Mark Messier – Edmonton Oilers – 50 goals
1980-81 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 68 goals
1980-81 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 58 goals
1980-81 – Charlie Simmer – Los Angeles Kings – 56 goals
1980-81 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 55 goals
1980-81 – Rick Kehoe – Pittsburgh Penguins – 55 goals
1980-81 – Wayne Babych – St. Louis Blues – 54 goals
1980-81 – Jacques Richard – Quebec Nordiques – 52 goals
1980-81 – Dennis Maruk – Washington Capitals – 50 goals
1979-80 – Danny Gare – Buffalo Sabres – 56 goals
1979-80 – Charlie Simmer – Los Angeles Kings – 56 goals
1979-80 – Blaine Stoughton – Hartford Whalers – 56 goals
1979-80 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 53 goals
1979-80 – Wayne Gretzky – Edmonton Oilers – 51 goals
1979-80 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 51 goals
1979-80 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals
1979-80 – Pierre Larouche – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals
1979-80 – Reggie Leach – Philadelphia Flyers – 50 goals
1978-79 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 69 goals
1978-79 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 59 goals
1978-79 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 52 goals
1978-79 – Guy Chouinard – Atlanta Flames – 50 goals
1977-78 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 60 goals
1977-78 – Mike Bossy – New York Islanders – 53 goals
1976-77 – Steve Shutt – Montreal Canadiens – 60 goals
1976-77 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 56 goals
1976-77 – Marcel Dionne – Los Angeles Kings – 53 goals
1975-76 – Reggie Leach – Philadelphia Flyers – 61 goals
1975-76 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 56 goals
1975-76 – Pierre Larouche – Pittsburgh Penguins – 53 goals
1975-76 – Jean Pronovost – Pittsburgh Penguins – 52 goals
1975-76 – Bill Barber – Philadelphia Flyers – 50 goals
1975-76 – Danny Gare- Buffalo Sabres – 50 goals
1974-75 – Phil Esposito – Boston Bruins – 61 goals
1974-75 – Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens – 53 goals
1974-75 – Rick Martin – Buffalo Sabres – 52 goals
1974-75 – Danny Grant – Detroit Red Wings – 50 goals
1973-74 – Phil Esposito – Boston Bruins – 68 goals
1973-74 – Rick Martin – Buffalo Sabres – 52 goals
1973-74 – Mickey Redmond – Detroit Red Wings – 51 goals
1973-74 – Ken Hodge – Boston Bruins – 50 goals
1972-73 – Phil Esposito – Boston Bruins – 55 goals
1972-73 – Mickey Redmond – Detroit Red Wings – 52 goals
1972-73 – Rick MacLeish – Philadelphia Flyers – 50 goals
1971-72 – Phil Esposito – Boston Bruins – 66 goals
1971-72 – Vic Hadfield – New York Rangers – 50 goals
1971-72 – Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks – 50 goals
1970-71 – Phil Esposito – Boston Bruins – 76 goals
1970-71 – Johnny Bucyk – Boston Bruins – 51 goals
1968-69 – Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks – 58 goals
1966-67 – Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks – 52 goals
1965-66 – Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks – 54 goals
1961-62 – Bobby Hull – Chicago Blackhawks – 50 goals
1960-61 – Bernie Geoffrion – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals
1944-45 – Maurice Richard – Montreal Canadiens – 50 goals