Canadian Hockey legends

Since the formation of the National Hockey League^® in 1917, generations of Canadians have trained, practised and played their hearts out for a chance to skate in the NHL^®. Our deep connection with the game explains why Canada has created so many legendary players. Maurice Richard claimed three famous firsts and captured the imagination of fans across the country. A national icon, Jean Béliveau retired with the most points in the history of the Montreal Canadiens^®. Gordie Howe, who embodied the game so completely that he was nicknamed “Mr. Hockey,” played longer as a professional than anyone before or since. Bobby Orr was the greatest defenceman the League had ever seen, while “The Magnificent One” – Mario Lemieux – thrilled fans in Pittsburgh with 17 seasons of effortless scoring. And of course, Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky claimed over 60 NHL records and left an enduring mark on the game.

Issued to coincide with the NHL’s 100th anniversary, these stamps commemorate six players whose names, numbers and achievements recall legendary moments in the history of the game that are sure to inspire Canada’s next generation players.

Maurice Richard
Intense and tenacious, Maurice “Rocket” Richard set countless records in his 18-year career with his hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens^®, including three famous firsts: 50 goals in a season, 50 goals in 50 games and 500 regular-season career goals. A star in Quebec, the eight-time Stanley Cup^® Champion retired in 1960 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the following year. In 1999, the Canadiens donated a trophy in his name for the NHL’s top scorer. After his death just one year later, Richard was honoured with the first state funeral ever held for a Canadian athlete.

Jean Béliveau
Born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Jean Béliveau became a national icon, playing 18 seasons (10 as captain) for the Montreal Canadiens and winning 10 Stanley Cup Championships. When he finished his NHL career in 1971 with the most points in the Canadiens’ history – and over 500 goals – the team paid him the ultimate honour by retiring his number 4. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, he continued as an executive with the Canadiens, earning a spot on the Stanley Cup another seven times. One of hockey’s greatest ambassadors, Béliveau was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998.

Gordie Howe
Hailing from Saskatchewan – first Floral, then Saskatoon – Gordie Howe was a remarkable right winger who dominated the record books, scoring goal after goal for his legion of fans. He rewarded his admirers with a record 1,767 regular-season games in the NHL, most played during his 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings^®. One of the top five goal scorers for 20 straight seasons, Howe won four Stanley Cup Championships and set a record for career goals that has been surpassed only once. The legendary player was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and died in 2016, at the age of 88.

Bobby Orr
Arguably the greatest defenceman in the history of the NHL, Bobby Orr competed with the League’s top goal scorers and twice won the scoring title – the only defenceman ever to do so. The pride of Parry Sound, Ontario, he thrilled Boston Bruins^® fans with his size, speed and scoring ability. Orr helped bring two Stanley Cup Championships to Boston and claimed the James Norris Memorial Trophy a record eight times for greatest all-round ability as a defenceman. Orr retired in 1978, his achievements earning him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame only a year later.

Mario Lemieux
Born in Montréal, Quebec, Mario Lemieux impressed opponents with his talent and speed. Playing his entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins^®, he led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships and won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s point leader six times. In 1993, illness forced him to leave the ice, but he returned later that season to capture yet another scoring title. After his retirement and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, Lemieux became an owner of the Penguins in 1999 and laced up again in 2000 for another five seasons.

Wayne Gretzky
A native of Brantford, Ontario, Wayne Gretzky captivated fans with his stunning plays and incredible instincts. He won four Stanley Cup Championships with the Edmonton Oilers^® and set records for the number of times he claimed the Art Ross Trophy (10) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (9). By the time the stellar stickhandler retired in 1999, he had set more than 60 NHL records. Still active behind the scenes, Gretzky led the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team to Canada’s first gold in 50 years at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. In 2016, he became a partner in Oilers Entertainment Group.

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