Do no more harm. For the 1943-44 season, Richard began wearing the number-nine jersey in honor of his first child, daughter Huguette, who had been born to his wife, Lucille, weighing in at nine pounds. In Montreal Technical School, he played for the Parc Lafontaine team. In 1909, when the team was founded, they were given the name,formallyLe Club de Hockey Canadien,to appeal to their mostly French-Canadian population. After Maurice was born, Onsime began working for Canadian Pacific Railway. The skills he demonstrated in the QSHL, combined with the NHL parent club's loss of players to the war and struggles to draw fans due to its poor record and a lack of francophone players, earned Richard a tryout with the Canadiens for the 194243 season. Maurice Richard was born into a poor family in August of 1921. is 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) Reference: Wikipedia, FaceBook, Youtube, Twitter, Spotify, Instagram, Tiktok, IMDb. For 18 seasons, he struck fear into the hearts of his opponents, terrorizing them with his hard hitting and goal scoring. (April 27, 2023). None of the politicians wanted to get involved. [5], Richard received his first pair of ice skates when he was four, and grew up skating on local rivers and a small backyard ice surface his father created. He continued to use his name as a promotional vehicle for over 30 years after his retirement. Richard was especially pleased to welcome his younger brother, Henri, to the lineup of the Canadiens for the 1954-55 season, which promised to be one of the Rocket's finest. Many French-speaking Canadians also saw Campbell's decision as a slap in the face by the English-speaking elites who then dominated the country's economic and political spheres. [127] Richard's popularity persisted late into his life: when introduced as part of the ceremonies following the final hockey game at the Montreal Forum, Richard was brought to tears by Canadiens' fans, who acknowledged him with an 11-minute standing ovation. In 1998, Richard was diagnosed with abdominal cancer and died from the disease two years later. [96] He was best known for dashing toward the net from the blue line and was equally adept at scoring from his forehand or backhand. When France settled Quebec in the 17th Century, they were referred to as the les habitants, the settlers of New France. Even at this size, many of the other teams in the NHL assigned two players to guard him. 1928- Richard played for the only team that mattered to him, the Montreal Canadiens, for 18 years. Maurice Richard was born in 1921. He scored the overtime-winning goal in the fifth game of the finals against Boston. Kailer Yamamoto Brother- Does He Hockey Hall of Fame, Canadas Walk of Fame, Hart Memorial Trophy, Stanley Cup, and Many Others. Richard's youngest son Jean Richard and granddaughter Claudia Richard joined Global's Laura Casella to talk about the foundation and what it means to the Maurice Richard legacy. Toronto Sun (May 31, 2000). Late in the 1955 season, Richard took a slash to the head and by Boston Bruin Hal Laycoe. "[96], The prime of Richard's career was the era immediately following the Second World War, where battle-hardened players returned to the NHL and implemented a "gladiatorial" style that featured rugged, physical and often violent play. In all Richard contributed to eight Stanley Cup victories by the Canadiens in his eighteen years with the team. [57] He finished the season with team-leading totals of 61 points and 28 goals becoming the first player in NHL history to score at least 20 goals in his first ten full seasons. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Campbell was rushed out of the arena. Olney, Ross R., This Game Called Hockey, Dodd Mead, 1978, Olney, Ross R., Superchampions of Ice Hockey, Clarion Books, 1982. Unfortunately, after playing nearly thirty-one games of the season, he again suffered a wrist injury. Kailer Yamamoto Brother- Does He Have A Sister? [120] The Canadiens retired his sweater number 9 in 1960,[42] while the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its five-year waiting period after retirement and inducted him in 1961. In 1940, when Richard was 19 years old, he became a player on the farm club team of the Montreal Canadiens, in the Senior Hockey League of Quebec. Maurice Richard, who won eight Stanley Cups during his Hall of Fame career, died in 2000. . He was born Nov. 2, 1930, in Biddeford, the youngest of seven children to Philas and On May 27, 2000, Maurice Richard left the world while struggling with abdominal cancer. Suffering from abdominal cancer and Parkinson's disease, Maurice Richard died on May 27, 2000. Richard did not play for the rest of the season and failed to win the scoring title that year. All of Canada was shocked. An error has occured while loading the map. What happened next turned the event into the Richard Riot. ESPN Classic Web site. Outraged by Campbell's seeming arrogance, the mob turned violent and began smashing windows and looting stores in downtown Montreal. [92], The playoff goal was Richard's last, as on September 15, 1960, he announced his retirement as a player. The decision shocked Canadiens fans for its severity; not only would it put Richard out of the race for that year's top scorer award, but it would also jeopardize the team's chances for a Stanley Cup victory. [60], "What did Campbell do when Jean Bliveau was deliberately injured twice by Bill Mosienko of Chicago and Jack Evans of the Rangers? . He won the title as the top scorer in the league, making 50 goals in the first 50 games and earning 73 points. In 1942 Richard made his debut in the Montreal Canadiens of NHL and scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 1942, against the New York Rangers. As fans fled the Forum, a restless crowd started to gather on the streets. Maurice Richard: Career Richard led the Montreal Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup championships, including five consecutive victories from 1956 to 1960. [111], While he was a popular player throughout Canada, Richard was an icon within Quebec. Sign up for our regular 'Habs Newsletter' for all the latest. In hockey, players are allowed to hit each other, but never is a player allowed to hit an official. Intense, he was renowned for his physical and occasionally violent style of play. Contact . Over 115,000 people paid their respects by viewing his lying in state at the Molson Centre. https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/richard-maurice, Borden, Timothy "Richard, Maurice He then was called to the Canadian Military Recruitment office for duty but was turned down because of his ankle injury. Although his size was modestat just five feet, ten inches tall and weighing between 170 and 180 poundsRichard had the ability to intimidate his opponents just by staring them down. Richard." "[95], Richard was nicknamed "the Comet" early in his career. [65] In its 40th anniversary retrospective of the Riot, Montreal newspaper La Presse opened with the following passage: "Forty years ago began one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of Quebec, and of hockey. Also, during his first entire season, Richard scored 32 goals in 46 games. He would miss the entire season. [40] Richard finished second in the voting for the Hart Trophy as league MVP behind Lach. Wrong username or password. The leading goal scorer in the National Hockey League (NHL) five times, Richard was also the first player to score fifty goals in one season. Joseph Henry Maurice Richard was born on August 4, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec. Published on October 27, 2020. [41] Richard's season also ended early as he missed the final games of the season due to a knee injury. [73] The fans continued to jeer Geoffrion into the following season. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Did he suspend Gordie Howe of Detroit when he almost knocked out Dollard St. Laurent's eye? On March 13, 1955, Richard was given a match penalty for intentionally injuring Harold Laycoe in a game against the Boston Bruins. [65], The mob of over 20,000 people developed into a riot. The next morning, Richard took to the radio and told his fans toDo no more harm. Catherine LEBLANC , Pierre CORMIER, Madeleine SIRE , Pierre VIGNEAU, Michele AUCOIN , Michel BOUDROT, Barbe MINGUETTE , Dominique Martin-Franois AUCOIN. Eventually, fans calmed down and left the area. Encyclopedia.com. Moreover, the Montreal Canadiens, in honor of Maurice, retired his jersey number 9 in 1960. On October 19, 1957, Maurice became the first NHL player to score 500 regular-season goals. At the conclusion of the 1959-60 season, Richard announced his retirement. The crowd became so infuriated that the game was forfeited to the Red Wings, evacuating the building. He was the oldest of eight children and did not have an opportunity to begin playing hockey until he was fourteen years old. [8] Richard's supporters reacted angrily to Campbell: he received several death threats and, upon taking his customary seat at the next Canadiens game, unruly fans pelted him with vegetables, eggs and other debris. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. The Canadiens would fall in game seven of the Stanley Cup championship and Richard lost the points race by one point. A string of injuries prevented him from joining the Canadian military during the Second World War. He joined the team in 1923. With Blake's 67 points, the Canadiens had the highest scoring line in hockey that season. [13][42] In 195051, Richard scored 42 goals,[13] including his 271st career goal, making him Montreal's all-time goal leader. In addition to that, in 1998 NHL decided to name the award after the name of Maurice for the highest goal scorer. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Toronto Sun (June 1, 2000). Given the recurring injuries, Canadiens general manager Tommy Gorman had doubts about Richard's future on the team. During the altercation, Richard punched a referee. [24] Richard led the league with 12 playoff goals,[28] including a five-goal effort against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a semi-final game. http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichard/may27_roc.html (October 17, 2002). The last meeting with Maurice Richard took place in an odd setting a few hours later. He began to play hockey soon after he learned to walk. His father, Onsime Richard, was originally from the Gasp region of Quebec, before moving to Montreal, where he married Maurice's mother, Alice Larame. Family Tree . [102] After serving in the position for three years, Richard was named a vice-president of the Canadiens in 1964. Lucille helped Maurice off his frustrations during trials, injuries, and life in general. [99] In addition to his 14 appearances on a post-season all-star team (eight on the first team, six on the second), Richard played in 13 consecutive NHL All-Star Games between 1947 and 1959. In November 1952, by scoring his 325th regular-season goal against Chicago, Richard surpassed Nels Stewart as the NHLs All-Time Leader. He then led the way with twelve scores in the playoffs in route to Montreals fifth Stanley Cup. The NHL decided in 1998 to name the award for highest goal scorer after the Rocket. He was the oldest of eight children that were raised at the height of the Great Depression. The Habs. Richard was a small player in a big man's game, standing less than six feet tall and weighing Encyclopedia of World Biography. [91] The 195660 Canadiens rank as one of eight dynasties recognized by the NHL. Richard's mark would not actually be surpassed until Bobby Hull scored 54 goals in 65 games while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 196566 season. By 1945 he was well known as "The Rocket." The couple got married at the young age of twenty and seventeen on September 12, 1942. Thispost was originally published in May, 2014. Suddenly he skated back into the game, grabbed the puck and raced up the ice. Not only will Richard be forever remembered in the hockey world, hell forever be a hero in the Province of Quebec. In a 1955 game between the Canadiens and the Boston Bruins, Richard was certain that Hal Laycoe had fouled him, so he hit Laycoe several times with his stick. Joseph Henry Maurice Richard was born on August 4, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec. Indeed, Richard's professional career from 1942 to 1960 paralleled the growth in Quebecois consciousness that culminated in. Notable Sports Figures. "Maurice Richard Dead at 78.#x201D; Canoe Web site. It's why "his people" erupted into what will always be remembered as the Richard Riot on March 17, 1955. No! Classic Sports Legends, Rocket Richard, http://www.classicsports.com/cp/HallofFame/RocketRichard.htm, (May 10, 1999). [65] Richard retaliated by slashing viciously at Laycoe's head, then punched linesman Cliff Thompson when the official attempted to intervene. 27 Apr. [8] The Canadiens lost only six games after October, and went on to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in 13 years. From 1944 to 1957, he gained a place on the NHL All-Star Team 14 consecutive times. He was the oldest of eight children and did not have an opportunity to begin playing hockey until he was fourteen years old. We were ten players all wearing the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens, all with the same burning enthusiasm. Bird, Heather. It was the worst riot in Montreal history, with more than $100,000 in damage to the main shopping area of the city. [65] One fan threw a tear gas bomb at Campbell, which resulted in the Forum's evacuation and the game's forfeiture in Detroit's favour. As Richard approached 50 goals for the season, opposition players resorted to increasingly violent efforts to prevent him from scoring. Richard had a pair of ice skates when he was only four, and he used to skate on local rivers and a small backyard ice surface made by Onesime. [12] He scored four goals in ten regular season games, and added six goals in four playoff games as Verdun won the provincial championship. [139] The archival reference number is R9534.[140]. [22] Richard's first goal was against the New York Rangers on November 8, 1942. At the end of the first period, one spectator walked up to Campbell as if to shake his hand; instead, he started punching the NHL president. Canoe Web site. The Canadiens retired his number, 9, in 1960, and in 1999 donated the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy to the NHL, awarded annually to the league's regular season leading goal-scorer. Richard's Biography, http://www.nhl.com/teampage/mon/rbio.htm, (May 10, 1999). They would have seven children: Huguette, Maurice Jr., Norman, Andr, Suzanne, Polo and Jean. When teammate Ray Getliffe remarked that Richard "went in like a rocket" as he approached the opposition goal, Richard was dubbed "The Rocket" by a local sportswriter; both Baz O'Meara from the Montreal Star and Dink Carroll of the Montreal Gazette have been credited for the appellation. [35] Richard broke the record on February 25, 1945, in a 52 victory over Toronto. Richard was born on August 4, 1921 in the Bordeaux section of Montreal. They were coal-black, wet, and shining with the intensity he brought to every game. To many people in the province of Quebec, Richard was the epitome of French-Canadian pride. [40] Richard never won the point title, finishing second five times in his career. [93] Richard had reported to Montreal's training camp that autumn, but Selke compelled Richard to end his playing career, fearing he was risking serious injury. [135] Melanon wrote: "According to this popular narrative, for the first time the people of Quebec stood up for themselves; especially English Canada delights in anachronistically announcing that this was the beginning of the 1960s Quiet Revolution. He spoke to fans on a radio show, asking them to be calm. [89] He scored 38 points in 42 games,[13] but missed six weeks due to a broken ankle. Canoe Web site. It is one of the oldest continuously operating teams in the National Hockey League. On May 31, Maurice was given a State funeral in Notre Dame Basilica, where his thousands of admirers came to pay respect to the Hockey legend. It was also the home team for a great hockey player of the pre-World War II era, Howie Morenz. Richard's thirty-two regular season goals helped the Canadiens finish the 1943-44 season in first place. [78] Along with general manager Frank Selke, Blake worked with Richard on moderating his temper and responding to the provocation of his opponents by scoring goals rather than engaging in fisticuffs. [6] He did not play organized hockey until he was 14. The situation led to a running feud with NHL President Clarence Campbell. Because of the lack of French-Canadiens players in the NHL because of War, Richard was called up to the NHL in 1942. He came from humble beginnings and fought for the culture he believed in, by way of sport. Richard. L'affaire Richard, as the event was also known, not only ended Richard's season but contributed to the loss by the Canadiens to the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals by a single game. Encyclopedia.com. He was known for being a Hockey Player. It was the first time any player had reached that number; the record was not surpassed until 1966. Maurice Richard, 84, formerly of N. Dartmouth and New Bedford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, December 31, 2017 after a period of declining health. However, this was not an ordinary one or two game suspension. Richard would be off the game, including the last three games of the regular season and all of the playoffs. Maurice Richard is the most iconic Canadian professional ice hockey player (born on August 4, 1921, and died on May 27, 2000). "Rocket Remembered for His Emotion, Determination." Firstly, he bought a pub in Montreal and sold the pub three years of twice the price he purchased. Born on Thursday, August 4, 1921 Richard worked his way through the minor leagues, as many young hockey players who dream of playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) have done. I will take my punishment and come back next year and help the club and the younger players to win the Cup.. Acknowledged as one of the best players in the sport's history, Maurice Richard's significance reached beyond the hockey rink. After playing in junior hockey leagues while studying to be a machinist at the Montreal Technical School, Richard joined the Montreal Canadiens organization in 1940 and was sent to play for its minor-league affiliate, the Montreal Royals. Richard was finish his career with eight Stanley Cup titles, 544 goals with another 82 playoff goals and over 1000 penalty minutes. [30] Richard was named a second team All-Star following the season. Retrieved April 27, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/maurice-richard. [109] He lasted only two games, a win and a loss, before finding himself unable to handle the strain of coaching. "[126] The story's publication, and subsequent adaptation into a National Film Board animated short helped entrench Richard's image as a pan-Canadian icon. "Maurice Richard Laurendeau suggested the riot "betrayed what lay behind the apparent indifference and long-held passiveness of French Canadians". The Montreal Canadiens, often referred to as the Habs, were named that because of their heritage.