Pro-model hockey stick, used by Hall of Famer Maurice Richard during the 1950s, signed by Richard near the top of the handle. While any Maurice Richard signed game-used hockey stick is significant, what makes this example especially intriguing is Richard's blue-ink inscription (grading 5/10) that reads "409 Goal/From Maurice Richard." If this stick were used by Richard to score his 409th career goal, then it was used in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Montreal Forum on January 25, 1955. Richard scored three goals in the Canadiens' 6-2 win that night, with his second goal in the second period representing the 409th of his career. It was also his 25th goal of the season. This stick has been in our consignor's possession for decades and it was originally obtained from a family friend who once worked at the Boston Garden. It would be hard to imagine why Richard would write that on the handle if it were not used used to score his 409th goal but unfortunately there is no documentation accompanying the stick and our consignor, who was young at the time, doesn't remember how or when the family friend obtained it.

The "409 Goal" inscription notwithstanding, this is a picture-perfect Richard game-used stick dating from the 1950s. The various stampings on the handle read: "C. C. M. Pattern Made Professional," "Custom Made For Richard 9," and "Supplied by Raymond Hardware Ltd Sporting Goods - C. C. M. Pattern Made Professional." The stick displays heavy wear, including a split in the blade (small amount of wood loss) and two vintage tape wraps, one brown (on the handle just above the blade) and the other black (on the blade), both of which are probably related to the split in the wood. (The black tape on the blade partially obscures another manufacturer's stamping.) 

Richard enjoyed another banner season in 1954-55, leading the league in goals (38), while also leading the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated in seven games by the Detroit Red Wings. One of the greatest players in NHL history, Richard was the first player to score 50 goals in a season and the first to total 500 goals in his career. A fourteen-time All Star and former Hart Trophy recipient, his 544 goals lifetime goals at the time of his retirement in 1961 stood as an NHL record before Gordie Howe (and many others) later surpassed him. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. Full LOA from PSA (for the signature only).

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 35.02 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.