Who was the first player to score 50 goals in a season?

The first player to score 50 goals in a single season was Maurice Richard. This historic milestone was achieved during the 1944-1945 NHL season while he played for the Montreal Canadiens. Richard's accomplishment was significant not only for its achievement of a previously unheard-of benchmark but also for its cultural impact. He became a symbol of excellence in hockey and helped elevate the sport's popularity in Canada. Richard’s accomplishment set the tone for future generations of goal scorers and created a target that many would strive to surpass.

Wayne Gretzky and others who followed were able to reach or exceed the 50-goal mark, but it was Richard's initial achievement that first defined the standard in the NHL.