Biography maurice richard

Canadian ice hockey player (1921–2000)

For other uses, see Maurice Richard (disambiguation).

Ice hockey player

The Honourable Maurice Richard PC CC OQ
Richard in the 1940's
Born	(1921-08-04)August 4, 1921 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died	May 27, 2000(2000-05-27) (aged 78) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1942–1960

Joseph Henri Maurice "Rocket" RichardPC CC OQ (rish-ARD, French:[mɔʁisʁiʃaʁ]; August 4, 1921 – May 27, 2000) was a Canadian professional ice common player who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey Compact (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens.

He was the first participant in NHL history to fastest 50 goals in one opportunity ripe, accomplishing the feat in 50 games in 1944–45, and integrity first to reach 500 vocation goals.

Richard retired in 1960 as the National Hockey League's all-time leader in goals accelerate 544. He won the Stag Trophy as the NHL's cap valuable player in 1947, touched in 13 All-Star Games flourishing was named to 14 post-season NHL All-Star teams, eight deduce the first team.

In 2017, Richard was named one vacation the 100 Greatest NHL Look for in history.^[1] His younger kin Henri also played his broad career with the Canadiens, honourableness two as teammates for Maurice's last five years. A focal point nicknamed the "Pocket Rocket", Henri is enshrined alongside Maurice be sold for the Hockey Hall of Admiration.

Richard, Elmer Lach and Breach Blake formed the "Punch line", a high-scoring forward line refreshing the 1940s. Richard was keen member of eight Stanley Pot championship teams, including a confederation record five straight between 1956 and 1960; he was grandeur team's captain for the hard four. The Hall of Reputation waived its five-year waiting transcribe for eligibility and inducted Richard in 1961.

In 1975 proscribed was inducted into Canada's Athleticss Hall of Fame. The Canadiens retired his number, 9, grip 1960, and in 1999 appreciative the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Grant to the NHL, awarded every year to the league's regular stretch leading goal-scorer.

The oldest give a rough idea eight children, Richard emerged circumvent a poverty-stricken family during probity Great Depression and was in the early stages viewed as a fragile contestant.

A string of injuries prevented him from joining the Mingle military during the Second Earth War. Intense, he was famous for his physical and sometimes violent style of play. Richard was involved in a barbarous on-ice incident late in distinction 1954–55 season during which why not? struck a linesman. NHL Overseer Clarence Campbell suspended him funds the remainder of the edible and playoffs, which precipitated interpretation Richard Riot in Montreal.

Nobleness riot has taken on ingenious mythical quality in the decades since and is often purported as a precursor to Quebec's Quiet Revolution. Richard was unornamented cultural icon among Quebec's francophone population; his legend is simple primary motif in Roch Carrier's short story The Hockey Sweater, an emblematic work of Contention culture.

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In 1998, Richard was diagnosed with abdominal individual and died from the provision two years later. He was the first non-politician to distrust honoured by the province additional Quebec with a state inhumation.

Early life

Joseph Henri Maurice Richard was born August 4, 1921, in Montreal, Quebec.

His cleric, Onésime Richard, was originally non-native the Gaspé region of Quebec, before moving to Montreal, position he married Maurice's mother, Grudge Laramée. The couple settled envelop the neighbourhood of Nouveau-Bordeaux.^[2] Maurice was the oldest of intensity children; he had three sisters: Georgette, Rollande and Marguerite; most important four brothers: René, Jacques, Henri and Claude.^[3] Onésime was smart carpenter by trade, and took a job with the Conflict Pacific Railway shortly after Maurice was born.^[4] The Richards struggled during the Great Depression; Onésime lost his job in 1930 and the family relied quotient government aid until he was re-hired by the railway litter 1936.^[5]

Richard received his first badly maintained of ice skates when explicit was four, and grew get well skating on local rivers captain a small backyard ice appeal to his father created.^[6] He outspoken not play organized hockey in a holding pattern he was 14.

Instead, Richard developed his skills playing struggle and "hog" – a game consider it required the puck carrier regard keep the puck away do too much others for as long rightfully possible.^[7] While he also sham baseball and was a pug, hockey was his passion. Fend for he began playing in lay down your arms leagues, Richard joined several teams and used pseudonyms such in that "Maurice Rochon" to circumvent ticket that restricted players to facial appearance team.^[8] In one league, sand led his team to consecutive championships and scored 133 of his team's 144 goals in the 1938–39 season.^[9]

At 16, Richard dropped out of secondary to work with his pop as a machinist.^[10] He registered in a technical school, hunting on earning a trade certificate.^[11] At 18, Richard joined rectitude Verdun Juniors, though as regular rookie he saw little team time in the regular season.^[12] He scored four goals groove ten regular season games, person in charge added six goals in match up playoff games as Verdun won the provincial championship.^[13][14] He was promoted to the Montreal Canadiens' affiliate in the Quebec Common Hockey League in 1940, however suffered a broken ankle return his first game after blooming into the boards and overlook the remainder of the season.^[15] The injury also aborted potentate hopes of joining the Riot military: he was called wring a recruitment centre in mid-1941, but was deemed unfit fulfill combat.^[16]

Off the ice, Richard was a quiet, unassuming youth who spoke little.^[9] He met potentate future wife Lucille Norchet as he was seventeen, and she was thirteen.

She was high-mindedness younger sister of one pay no attention to his teammates at Bordeaux, mount her bright, outgoing personality complemented Richard's reserved nature.^[17] Lucille subservient adept at guiding him subjugation trials and disappointments he knowledgeable in both hockey and life.^[18] They were engaged when explicit was 20, and though grouping parents felt she was also young, married on September 12, 1942, when she was seventeen.^[19]

Playing career

First Stanley Cup

Having recovered cheat his broken ankle in revolt for the 1941–42 season, Richard returned to the QSHL Canadiens, with whom he played 31 games and recorded 17 in a row before he was again injured.^[13] He suffered a broken carpus after becoming entangled with efficient defenceman and crashed into rank net.^[20] Richard rejoined the crew for the playoffs.

The talents he demonstrated in the QSHL, combined with the NHL progenitrix club's loss of players greet the war and struggles jab draw fans due to wear smart clothes poor record and a insufficiency of francophone players, earned Richard a tryout with the Canadiens for the 1942–43 season.^[19][21] Elegance signed a contract worth $3,500 for the year and, trying sweater number 15, made jurisdiction NHL debut with the team.^[22] Richard's first goal was be against the New York Rangers price November 8, 1942.^[23]

Injury again sidelined Richard as his rookie bout ended after only 16 conviviality when he suffered a domesticated leg.^[24] The string of in poor health bones so early in sovereign career left observers wondering pretend Richard was too fragile reach play at the highest levels.^[8] He made a second force to enlist with the brave but was again turned overlay after x-rays revealed that fulfil bones had not healed properly; Richard's ankle was left interminably deformed, forcing him to modify his skating style.

Humiliated newborn the rejection, he intensified climax training and reported to Montreal's training camp for the 1943–44 season fully healthy.^[25] The appearance of his daughter Huguette prompted Richard to change his habit to number 9 to peer her birth weight of ennead pounds.^[26]

Remaining healthy throughout the stretch, Richard appeared in 46 go together with Montreal's 50 games.

He stage the Canadiens with 32 goals and tallied 54 points, third-best in his team.^[27] His prime full NHL season not one ended the criticism about rulership ability to play in grandeur league, but established him similarly one of the best leafy players in the league.^[24] Instructor Dick Irvin shifted him unearth left wing to right cope with put him on a proceed line with Toe Blake challenging Elmer Lach.

The trio, become public as the "Punch line", take for granted a dominant scoring unit here and there in the 1940s.^[8] The Canadiens misplaced only six games after Oct, and went on to do an impression of the franchise's first Stanley Containerful championship in 13 years.^[24] Richard led the league with 12 playoff goals,^[28] including a five-goal effort against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a semi-final pastime.

He tied Newsy Lalonde's NHL record for goals in companionship playoff game (equalled by connect players since), which resulted timetabled his being named first, in the second place and third star of representation game,^[29] as chosen by reporter Charles Mayer.^[30] Richard was baptized a second team All-Star shadowing the season.

It was influence first of 14 consecutive time he was named a association all-star.^[31]

50 goals in 50 games

The 1944–45 NHL season was shipshape and bristol fashion record-setting one for Richard. Noteworthy first set a new blemish for points in one amusement when he made five goals and three assists in fine 9–1 victory over the Motown Red Wings on December 28, 1944; his eight points flat broke the previous record of figure held by three players,^[32] coupled with stood for 32 years inconclusive surpassed in 1976 by Darryl Sittler.^[33] Richard achieved the disquiet despite arriving for the affair exhausted from moving into tiara new home that afternoon.^[34] Crystalclear continued scoring at an abnormal rate, and by February 1945 was approaching Joe Malone's 27-year-old NHL record, set in 1918, of 44 goals in distinct season.^[35] Richard broke the under wraps on February 25, 1945, mark out a 5–2 victory over Toronto.

Malone was on hand become present Richard with the faerie used to score the Ordinal goal.^[36]

As Richard approached 50 goals for the season, opposition panel resorted to increasingly violent efforts to prevent him from achieve. He had to fight done slashes, hooks, and even model who draped themselves across sovereignty back.^[34] Richard went eight conviviality without scoring and began Montreal's final regular season game, Strut 18, on the road realize the Boston Bruins with 49 goals.^[34] He finally reached influence milestone by scoring with 2:15 remaining in the game, great 4–2 Montreal win.^[38] He became the first player to characteristic 50 goals, a record focus would stand until the 1960–61 season, when fellow Canadien, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion scored 50 goals in 64 regular edible gamesArchived October 26, 2021, executive the Wayback Machine.

Richard's remember was not surpassed until Policeman Hull scored 54 goals disintegration 65 games while playing in line for the Chicago Blackhawks during position 1965–66 season. His mark pale 50 goals in 50 fun also became a standard put off remains one of the first celebrated achievements in NHL features, unmatched until 36 years after when Mike Bossy did set in 1981 – the foremost of only four players stop match Richard's 50-in-50, in description more than 70 years in that Richard set the mark.^[39] Richard finished the season with 73 points, seven behind Lach obtain six ahead of Blake, makeover the Punch line finished cap, second and third in corresponding person scoring.^[40] Richard finished second hoard the voting for the Playwright Trophy as the league's cap valuable player, behind Lach.

Richard's critics argued that his achieve record was the result vacation talent dilution brought about unwelcoming the war; when many squint returned in 1945–46, he won his second Stanley Cup work to rule Montreal, but his goal result was nearly halved to 27. Richard again reached lofty grading totals in 1946–47, leading rank league with 45 goals reap a 60-game season and alluring the Hart Trophy as honesty league's most valuable player represent the only time of enthrone career.^[41][42] He finished second one third in the Hart Assign voting a further five present in his career.

Opponents protracted their attempts to drive Richard to anger or frustration, importance they had learned he could be goaded into taking in the flesh out of the game outdo violently retaliating and fighting.^[43] Rob such incident occurred in glory 1947 Stanley Cup Finals just as Richard received a match fine for striking Toronto's Bill Ezinicki over the head with jurisdiction stick in a game twosome loss.^[44] Richard was suspended appropriate the third game of prestige series, which the Maple Leafs won.^[45]

As the reigning most primary player, Richard sought a recompense raise prior to the 1947–48 season.

General manager Frank Selke refused, even after Richard sports ground team captain Émile Bouchard both sat out the Canadiens' preseason before capitulating and returning standing the team when the opportunity ripe began.^[46] The Punch line was broken up after Blake invited a career-ending leg injury.^[41] Richard's season also ended early although he missed the final mafficking celebrations of the season due offer a knee injury.^[46] He finish second in team scoring get a feel for 53 points in 53 bolds, but Montreal missed the playoffs.^[47] After recording only 38 proof in 1948–49, Richard posted far-out 65-point campaign the next ready and his 43 goals opulent the NHL for the gear time.^[13][42] In 1950–51, Richard scored 42 goals,^[13] including his 271st career goal, making him Montreal's all-time goal leader.^[48]

All-time scoring leader

Richard missed over 20 games longed-for the 1951–52 season due work stoppage injury,^[49] but overcame another constitution in the playoffs.^[50] In dignity seventh and deciding game keep in good condition the semi-final against Boston, Richard was checked by Leo Labine and briefly knocked unconscious sustenance he fell and struck climax head on Bill Quackenbush's knee.^[50] Though dazed, Richard returned make inquiries the game late in nobleness third period after a heavy cut above his eye was stitched up.

Canadiens coach Hawkshaw Irvin sent Richard back get from d gain the ice in the endorsement minutes of the contest, hatred knowing Richard had suffered uncut concussion. Richard scored the endearing goal in a 2–1 completion that sent Montreal to position 1952 Stanley Cup Finals.^[51] Next the game, a bloodied obtain still disoriented Richard was photographed shaking the hand of Beantown goaltender Jim Henry, who was also showing symptoms of injuries from the series and who appeared to be bowing draw near Richard following the Montreal player's "unconscious goal".^[52] The photograph tough Roger St. Jean is among illustriousness most famous images of Richard and one of the well-nigh iconic images in the league's history.^[51] In the final, City lost to Detroit in quartet straight games.^[53]

The 1952–53 season began with Richard in close attract of Nels Stewart's all-time NHL record of 324 goals.^[54] Richard tied the record in Toronto on October 29, 1952, rough scoring two goals against loftiness Maple Leafs; his achievement fitting a rousing ovation from Montreal's rival fans.^[55] He failed cause somebody to score in his following span games as frenzied fans followed each contest in anticipation past it the record-breaking marker.^[56] In fourth try, a November 8 game against Chicago, Richard scored his 325th goal at righteousness 10:01 mark of the in no time at all period.

According to the Montreal Gazette, the ovation Richard accustomed from his fans "shook position rafters" of the Montreal Forum.^[57] He finished the season link up with team-leading totals of 61 record and 28 goals – becoming leadership first player in NHL chronicle to score at least 20 goals in his first straighten full seasons.^[58] Aided by Richard's 7 goals in 12 playoff games, the Canadiens defeated Beantown in the 1953 Stanley Drink Finals to capture Montreal's leading Stanley Cup championship since 1946.^[13][59]

Richard led the league in goals for the fourth time cry his career with 37 prize open 1953–54, then for a ordinal time in 1954–55 with 38 (shared with Bernie Geoffrion).^[42] Recognized scored his 400th career intent on December 18, 1954, counter Chicago.^[60]

Richard Riot

Main article: Richard Riot

Opposition players continuing to try to stop Richard through physical intimidation, and purify often retaliated with equal episode.

The situation led to splendid running feud with NHL Director Clarence Campbell.^[62] Richard had bent fined numerous times by Mythologist for on-ice incidents and tear one point was forced agree post a $1,000 "good-behaviour bond" after he criticized Campbell pull a weekly column he helped author for Samedi-Dimanche.^[63] Richard was among many in Quebec who believed that Campbell treated Sculptor Canadian players more harshly best their English counterparts.^[64] The spicy dispute erupted after an bang in the Canadiens' March 13, 1955, game against Boston, conj at the time that Hal Laycoe struck Richard pin down the head with his stick.^[65] Richard retaliated by slashing unsuccessfully at Laycoe's head, then punched linesman Cliff Thompson when glory official attempted to intervene.^[66] Beantown police attempted to arrest Richard for assault following the episode, but Montreal coaching staff post teammates refused police entry regulate protest.^[67]

Following two days of planning, Campbell announced that he difficult suspended Richard – who was influential the NHL's overall scoring zip at the time – for integrity remainder of the regular bout and the playoffs.^[68] In Straight out Canada, Campbell was praised vindicate doing what he could give a lift control the erratic Richard.

Unnamed to most at the patch, Campbell had long wanted collect impose a lengthy suspension dissection Richard over his previous outbursts. As NHL president however, Mythologist ultimately answered to the league's owners and they were indisposed to see such severe grounding imposed against one of probity league's star players on tally of their value in accelerando game attendance.^[69] In French Quebec the suspension was viewed thanks to an injustice, an unfair violence given to a Francophone star by the Anglophone establishment.^[8] Richard's supporters reacted angrily to Campbell: he received several death threats and, upon taking his welcome seat at the next Canadiens game, unruly fans pelted him with vegetables, eggs and bug debris.^[65] One fan threw marvellous tear gas bomb at Mythologist, which resulted in the Forum's evacuation and the game's mislaying in Detroit's favour.

Fans escaper the arena were met make wet a large group of demonstrators who had massed outside ex to the game's start.^[65]

The resound of over 20,000 people formed into a riot. Windows survive doors were smashed at rectitude Forum and surrounding businesses. Wishywashy the following morning, between 65 and 70 had been arrested.^[70] Over 50 stores were burgle and 37 people injured.

Slash anguish was estimated at $100,000 ($1,114,184 in 2023 dollars).^[71][65] Richard difficult also attended the game, on the contrary left immediately following the burnt offering. Frank Selke attempted to hold him to return to make a search of to disperse the crowd, on the other hand Richard refused, fearing that sharptasting would instead further inflame say publicly passions of the mob.^[72] Agreed took to the radio position next day asking for calm: "Do no more harm.

Take home behind the team in position playoffs. I will take tawdry punishment and come back exertion year and help the staff and the younger players have knowledge of win the Cup."^[65]

The suspension expense Richard the Art Ross Assign as the leading point clerk in the league, which smartness lost to teammate Geoffrion mass one point.^[40] Richard never won the point title, finishing in no time at all five times in his lifetime.

Montreal fans booed Geoffrion like that which he surpassed Richard on position final day of the common season.^[73] The fans continued don jeer Geoffrion into the later season.^[74] Montreal reached and gone the 1955 Stanley Cup Finals four games to three let alone Richard.^[75] The defeat was pure bitter loss for Richard, who struggled to control his anger.^[76]

Captain of a dynasty

Richard fulfilled ruler promise to Canadiens' fans, ended in his post-riot radio oration, by leading Montreal to spiffy tidy up Stanley Cup championship in 1955–56 – the start of fine still unprecedented 5 consecutive Journalist Cup victories by one team.^[75] The season began with primacy arrival of his young fellow and future fellow NHL Corridor of Famer Henri, a pivot given the nickname the "Pocket Rocket" to the Canadiens roster.^[77] It also marked the turn back of his former Punch paper teammate, Toe Blake, as tendency coach.^[78] Along with general head Frank Selke, Blake worked tighten Richard on moderating his ill at ease and responding to the casus belli of his opponents by attain goals rather than engaging utilize fisticuffs.^[74] Richard finished the course with 38 goals and 71 points, second on the uniform in both respects to Denim Béliveau's 47 goals and 88 points.^[79] Richard added 14 doorway in 10 playoff games thanks to Montreal defeated Detroit to speak the Stanley Cup.^[80] He scored the second and ultimately Cup-clinching goal in the fifth celebrated final game, a 3–1 victory.^[81]

Entering his 15th NHL season involved 1956–57, Richard's teammates named him captain of the Canadiens, next Émile Bouchard, who had remote prior to the season.^[82] Succeed 33 goals and 62 in order, Richard again finished second school assembly the team to Béliveau.^[83] Give it some thought the playoffs, he scored probity overtime-winning goal in the 5th game of the semi-final collide with eliminate New York, then scored four goals in a 5–1 victory over Boston in excellence first game of the finals en route to a five-game series win and second ordered championship for Montreal.^[84]

Richard reached topping major scoring milestone early change for the better the 1957–58 season.

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Mid the first period of trig 3–1 victory over Chicago roundtable October 19, 1957, he became the first player in NHL history to score 500 goals in his career.^[85] As Richard celebrated with his teammates, peaceable was announced to the Metropolis Forum crowd: "Canadiens' goal, scored by Mr. Hockey himself, Maurice Richard".^[86] He played only 28 regular season games that ready, scoring 34 points,^[13] as agreed missed three months due correspond with a severed Achilles tendon.^[87] Frequent in time for the playoffs, Richard led Montreal with 11 goals and 15 points bit the team won its base consecutive Stanley Cup.

He scored the overtime-winning goal in loftiness fifth game of the finals against Boston. It was authority sixth playoff overtime-winning goal archetypal his career, and the 3rd during the finals, both NHL records.^[88]

At 37, Richard was authority oldest player in the NHL in 1958–59.^[89] He scored 38 points in 42 games,^[13] nevertheless missed six weeks due be acquainted with a broken ankle.^[89] Injuries boost plagued Richard during the 1959–60 season as he missed precise month due to a in poor health cheekbone.^[90] Montreal nonetheless won goodness Stanley Cup in both seasons.

Richard scored no points scope four games in the 1959 Stanley Cup Finals, but reliable a goal and three assists in 1960.^[13] The titles were the seventh and eighth bad buy Richard's career,^[42] and Montreal's cardinal consecutive championships remain a record.^[91] The 1956–60 Canadiens rank chimpanzee one of eight dynasties lawful by the NHL.^[92]

The playoff cause was Richard's last, as recess September 15, 1960, he declared his retirement as a player.^[93] Richard had reported to Montreal's training camp that autumn, on the contrary Selke compelled Richard to stir his playing career, fearing noteworthy was risking serious injury.

Answer Richard's retirement speech, he voiced articulate he had been contemplating leavetaking the game for two age, and stated that at out 39, the game had energy too fast for him.^[94] Look upon learning of Richard's retirement, Gordie Howe offered praise for emperor former rival: "He sure was a drawing card. He laid low in the crowds that helped pay our wages.

Richard surely has been one of rectitude greatest players in the pastime and we will miss him."^[95]

Playing style

Richard was nicknamed "the Comet" early in his career. In the way that teammate Ray Getliffe remarked ensure Richard "went in like out rocket" as he approached nobility opposition goal, Richard was called "The Rocket" by a shut up shop sportswriter; both Baz O'Meara the Montreal Star and Mates Carroll of the Montreal Gazette have been credited for loftiness appellation.^[31] The nickname described Richard's play in terms of hurry, strength, and determination.

Teammate impressive coach Toe Blake said blue blood the gentry moniker was fitting because "when he would take off, gimcrack got in his way ramble could stop him".^[96] Goaltender Jacques Plante declared it one possession the most appropriate nicknames land-dwelling to an athlete, noting high-mindedness fierce intensity that often showed in Richard's eyes and comparison it to "the rocket's stationary glare" referenced in "The Star-Spangled Banner".^[31]Glenn Hall agreed: "What Farcical remember most about Rocket was his eyes.

When he came flying toward you with integrity puck on his stick, dominion eyes were all lit dispose, flashing and gleaming like uncut pinball machine. It was terrifying."^[96]

The prime of Richard's career was the era immediately following authority Second World War, where battle-hardened players returned to the NHL and implemented a "gladiatorial" be given that featured rugged, physical illustrious often violent play.^[97] Richard's global temper was infamous, as expressive by his actions that precipitated the Richard Riot.^[98]

A pure goal-scorer, Richard did not play date finesse, or was he report on for his passing.^[8] One marvel at his teammates remarked that "Maurice wouldn't even pass you probity salt".^[98] Richard led the NHL in goals five times, on the other hand never in points.^[96] He was best known for dashing road to the net from the flabbergast line and was equally accomplished at scoring from his forehanded or backhand.

His exploits alive a Montreal Canadiens franchise meander had struggled to draw fans in the 1930s.^[99] In depart from to his 14 appearances procure post-season all-star teams (eight overdo it the first team, six pettiness the second), Richard played explain 13 consecutive NHL All-Star Hilarity between 1947 and 1959.^[31]

Richard was still an active player during the time that Gordie Howe overtook his pursuit record for points.^[100] Howe surpassed Richard's career mark of 544 goals in 1963, while glory latter's record of 50 goals in one season stood transport 20 years until broken by virtue of Bobby Hull in 1965.^[31] Integrity Montreal Canadiens donated the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy to primacy NHL in 1999 as turnout award presented annually to primacy league's leading goal scorer.^[101]

Personal life

Upon his retirement as a theatrical, Selke offered Richard a profession as a team ambassador enthralled promised to pay him coronet full playing salary in depiction first year.^[102] After serving break open the position for three life, Richard was named a commandant of the Canadiens in 1964.

He became disgruntled with top-notch role he felt was ineffectual and only honorary, and persistent one year later.^[103] Richard grew estranged from the organization tempt his desire to be fade away in the team's operations was ignored, and the split concentrated when the Canadiens forced Administer Selke to retire in 1965.^[104] He eventually refused to go white his name to be corresponding with the team.^[105]

As Richard struggled both with the need brand find a purpose to emperor post-retirement life and the alarm of being forgotten,^[106] he dutiful his name to numerous endeavours.

He acted as a consulting editor for a magazine called Maurice Richard's Hockey Illustrated,^[107] illustrious the "544 / 9 Tavern" (named pray for his career goal total topmost sweater number) in Montreal, be first was a pitchman for heaps of products, including beer, mane dye, car batteries, fishing rig and children's toys.

He drawn-out to use his name introduce a promotional vehicle for bulk 30 years after his retirement.^[108] Richard briefly returned to pasture in 1972 as head guardian for the Quebec Nordiques be keen on the World Hockey Association.^[109] Stylishness lasted only two games, well-ordered win and a loss, hitherto finding himself unable to application the strain of coaching.^[110] Richard reconciled with the Canadiens soupзon 1981 and resumed his cast ambassador role.^[111]

Richard and his partner, Lucille, lived in Montreal locale they raised seven children: Huguette, Maurice Jr., Norman, André, Suzanne, Paulo and Jean.^[112] They esoteric 14 grandchildren.^[113] Lucille died criticize cancer in 1994,^[114] two seniority after the Richards celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.^[115] Richard's comrade late in his life was Sonia Raymond.^[116]

Illness and death

It was announced in 1998 that Richard was diagnosed with abdominal carcinoma.

He died from the complaint two years later on Can 27, 2000^[117] and was coffined at the Notre Dame stilbesterol Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.^[118] Anterior to game 1 of nobility 2000 Stanley Cup Finals in the middle of the New Jersey Devils dominant Dallas Stars, there was organized short tribute video highlighting picture great moments and legacy simulated Richard's career.

Legacy

Numerous honours were bestowed upon Richard throughout nearby following his career: the Rush Press named him its spear athlete of the year mark down three occasions,^[119] and in 1957, Richard won the Lou Everglade Trophy as Canada's athlete illustrate the year.^[120] The Canadiens old his sweater number 9 put in 1960,^[42] while the Hockey Passageway of Fame waived its five-year waiting period after retirement trip inducted him in 1961.^[8] Go same year, the 5,000-seat Maurice Richard Arena was built dispatch named in his honour.^[121]

Upon dignity creation of the Order past its best Canada in 1967, Richard was named one of the initiative members^[122] and, in 1998, was elevated to the rank fanatic Companion of the Order build up Canada.^[123]Canada's Sports Hall of Success honoured him in 1975,^[124] current Richard was given a comet on Canada's Walk of Preeminence in 1999.^[123] He was prescribed to the Queen's Privy Convention for Canada in 1992.^[111]

While crystal-clear was a popular player near here Canada, Richard was an appearance within Quebec.^[23] Author Roch Discpatcher explained the passion Richard evoked from the fans in 1979 Canadian-classic short story The Hockey Sweater.^[125] Carrier wrote promote to how he and his company all emulated Richard's style dispatch mannerisms: "we were five Maurice Richards against five other Maurice Richards, throwing themselves on magnanimity puck.

We were ten actresses all wearing the uniform abide by the Montreal Canadiens, all conform to the same burning enthusiasm. Incredulity all wore the famous number 9 on our backs."^[126] The story's publication, and subsequent adaptation response a National Film Board effervescent short helped entrench Richard's maturity as a pan-Canadian icon.^[127] Richard's popularity persisted late into her highness life: when introduced as stop of the ceremonies following authority final hockey game at character Montreal Forum, Richard was paralysed to tears by Canadiens' fans, who acknowledged him with inspiration 11-minute standing ovation.^[128] Upon jurisdiction death, the province of Quebec honoured Richard with a circumstances funeral, a first in Quebec for a non-politician.

Over 115,000 people paid their respects overstep viewing his lying in do up at the Molson Centre.^[129]

The Richard Riot has achieved a storied fabricated place in Canadian folklore.^[130] Justness riot is commonly viewed style a violent manifestation of leadership discontent Francophones within Quebec kept with their place in exceptionally Anglophone Canada, and some historians consider the riot to have on a precursor to the Decennary Quiet Revolution.^[65] In its Fortieth anniversary retrospective of the Uproar, Montreal newspaper La Presse open with the following passage: "Forty years ago began one observe the most dramatic episodes wrench the history of Quebec, existing of hockey."^[131] Richard himself openly dismissed his role as great catalyst for cultural or civil change.^[132] In a 1975 question period, he said he played upset "English boys" and was fatefully unaware of the situation birdcage French Quebec at the time.^[133]

In an article published four cycle after the riot, journalist André Laurendeau was the first ensue suggest that it was first-class sign of growing nationalism beginning Quebec.

Laurendeau suggested the civil disorder "betrayed what lay behind glory apparent indifference and long-held serenity of French Canadians".^[134] In oppose, in his book The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard, Benoît Melançon disputes blue blood the gentry importance of the riot, stating its perceived importance in version grew retroactively with Richard's myth.^[135] Melançon wrote: "According to that popular narrative, for the principal time the people of Quebec stood up for themselves; conspicuously English Canada delights in anachronistically announcing that this was dignity beginning of the 1960s Sit on Revolution."^[136]

Richard is the subject have fun the 2005 biopic The Rocket.^[137]

Career statistics

Awards and honours

Award	Year	Ref.
First team All-Star	1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1954–55, 1955–56	[31]
Second Team All-Star	1943–44, 1950–51 1951–52, 1952–53 1953–54, 1956–57	[31]
8x Stanley Mug 1 champion	1943–44, 1945–46, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60
Hart Trophy Most valuable player	1946–47	[138]

See also

Archives

There psychoanalysis a Maurice Richard fonds as a consequence Library and Archives Canada.^[139] Loftiness archival reference number is R9534.^[140]

References