Scoring 50 goals in one season is one of the most celebrated individual achievements in the National Hockey League (NHL). The feat was first accomplished in 1944–45 by Maurice Richard. Bernie Geoffrion became the second player to reach the milestone 16 years later in 1960–61. Fifty-goal seasons increased in frequency during 1970s and 1980s as offense increased across the league. By 1980, it had been reached 24 times in NHL history; the plateau was reached 76 times in the 1980s.