The quest for the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal for any NHL player, a grueling journey culminating in the sweet taste of victory. While individual brilliance can shine, hockey is a team sport, and hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup signifies the pinnacle of team achievement. Throughout NHL history, some players have had the distinct honor of winning multiple championships. Here's a look at 10 NHL players who have won the most Stanley Cups:
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Henri Richard (11 Stanley Cups): Known as the "Pocket Rocket," Henri Richard stands alone atop the list with an impressive 11 Stanley Cup victories, all with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard's career spanned from 1955 to 1975, a period of Montreal Canadiens dominance, and he even scored the winning goal in the final game twice, in 1966 and 1971. His first Stanley Cup win came during his rookie season.
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Jean Béliveau (10 Stanley Cups): A legendary player and executive, Jean Béliveau won 10 Stanley Cups as a player with the Montreal Canadiens. His name is engraved on the Cup a remarkable 17 times, including seven times as a member of Montreal's front office.
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Yvan Cournoyer (10 Stanley Cups): Another Montreal Canadiens icon, Yvan Cournoyer, was part of 10 Stanley Cup-winning teams. Cournoyer's career with the Canadiens spanned from 1965 to 1979.
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Claude Provost (9 Stanley Cups): Claude Provost, a stalwart of the Montreal Canadiens, secured nine Stanley Cups during his career. He won his first Cup in 1956 and played over 1,000 NHL games, all with the Canadiens. He has the most Cups won without being in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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Maurice "The Rocket" Richard (8 Stanley Cups): The older brother of Henri, Maurice Richard, was a superstar for the Montreal Canadiens, winning eight Stanley Cups. His career spanned from 1944 to 1960.
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Red Kelly (8 Stanley Cups): Red Kelly distinguished himself by winning eight Stanley Cups while playing for both the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. His career spanned two decades.
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Jacques Lemaire (8 Stanley Cups): Before becoming a successful coach, Jacques Lemaire won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens from 1968 to 1979.
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Serge Savard (8 Stanley Cups): Serge Savard, a Hall of Fame defenseman, won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. He starred with the team from 1966 to 1981.
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Jean-Guy Talbot (7 Stanley Cups): Jean-Guy Talbot was part of a Montreal Canadiens dynasty that dominated the game, winning five titles from 1956 to 1960. He secured another two rings in 1965 and 1966.
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Mark Messier & 13 Players (6 Stanley Cups): Mark Messier is in a group of 14 players who have won the Stanley Cup six times. Messier stands out as the only captain in NHL history to lead two different franchises to the Stanley Cup. Other notable players in this group include Bernie Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, and Larry Robinson.
It's worth noting that the Montreal Canadiens dominated the NHL for a significant period, particularly during the mid-20th century. This explains why many players on this list played for the Canadiens. Winning one Stanley Cup is a significant achievement, but these players have etched their names in hockey history by winning multiple championships.
