Maurice Richard
Born in 1921 into a working-class family, Maurice Richard a French Canadian and athlete during an era when the majority population of Quebec quiescent . Richard aspired only to score goals and win championships for the Montreal Canadiens. But he represented far more than a high-scoring forward who filled seats in NHL arenas. Beginning with his 50-goal, 50-game season in 1944-45 and through his battles with the league over bigotry toward French-Canadian players, Richard's on-ice ferocity and off-ice dignity echoed the change in Quebec. The March 1955 “Richard Riot,” in which fans went on a rampage to protest his suspension. By the time Richard retired in 1960, Quebec had begun to reinvent itself as a modern,profane society. Acknowledged as one of the best players in the hockey history, Maurice Richard's significance reached beyond the ice rick. He also contributed to the newfound pride of French-speaking Canadians in their language and heritage that led to a cultural renaissance in the province in the 1960's and beyond.
Richard Riot
The Richard Riot was a riot that occurred on March 17,1955 in Montreal, Quebec. Maurice Richard, the star ice hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens, was suspended for a violent attack on a linesman and it provoked a riot at the Montreal Forum that spilled out into the streets. Some have linked the Richard Riot with the birth of Quebec nationalism and the Quiet Revolution. French Canadians saw attacks on Richard as attacks on themselves as a people and a culture, and struggled to uproot respect and power away from English Canadians in the political arena. The suspension of Richard by Commissioner Clarence Campbell after a questionable hit. Montrealers saw the suspension as unjust and severe, but they believed the suspension was no more than an Anglo-Canadian exerting power over a French Canadian. The schism would be emblematic of the constant battle between English and French in Canada. The results of the Richard Riot were felt almost immediately, as a new wave of radicalism was sweeping Quebec, characterized by French Canadians coming to power in Quebec’s parliament. The riot is seen as the first exhibition of powerful French nationalism, and led the way for the Quiet Revolution. Historians are divided on the significance of the riot -- no one died but plenty of damage was done -- but something big happened that night and for reasons not everyone is sure of, it remains a key date of the 20th century for the city and the country.
The Maurice Richard Riot of 1955 was an event that many of the city’s population living in that time period will never forget . Living in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens have been the most popular sports team in the province’s history. The city of Montreal has throughout the years expressed their annoy or pride through different forms of actions. Riots have occurred on more than one occasions but none of them have compared to the social impact that the Richard Riot had . In some ways , the civil unrest was a reflection of the changes that would happen in Quebec. As a History student at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute , I believe that it was important for me to illustrate just how the Richard riot was something more than a simple act of social unrest but a loud start to a quiet revolution.
The Maurice Richard Riot of 1955 was an event that many of the city’s population living in that time period will never forget . Living in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens have been the most popular sports team in the province’s history. The city of Montreal has throughout the years expressed their annoy or pride through different forms of actions. Riots have occurred on more than one occasions but none of them have compared to the social impact that the Richard Riot had . In some ways , the civil unrest was a reflection of the changes that would happen in Quebec. As a History student at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute , I believe that it was important for me to illustrate just how the Richard riot was something more than a simple act of social unrest but a loud start to a quiet revolution.
Richard Rocket Trophey
Fun Facts
What was Maurice Richard's original jersey number in the NHL?
- 15. Maurice Richard originally sported the number 15 on his back, changing it to 9 when his first daughter, Henrietta, was born. Maurice changed his number in honour of her 9 pounds.
Toe Blake. As a child, Maurice loved to sit by the radio and listen to Toe Blake score goals as he dreamed of one day playing with the man. Little did he know at the time that he would one day play on the same line as his childhood hero.
What team did Maurice Richard play for, and what team was willing to pay him a large salary to play for them?
- Montreal Canadiens; New York Rangers. Maurice Richard, being a French-Canadian, always dreamed of playing for the Montreal Canadiens and refused to play for any other team, feeling that it would be a betrayal to his people and culture.
- Henri Richard. Maurice played with two of his younger brothers, however his youngest brother was immediately sent to the minors after one game. His eldest younger brother, Henri Richard, played for a while on the same line as his big brother, but as Maurice grew old, began to play with other players.
- 5. Surprisingly enough, Maurice Richard was very fragile but also very aggressive. It was not advised to aggrevate Richard as he would stand up for both himself and his teammates, even if it meant a suspension from Clarence Campbell or injury.
- Smoke Bombing. Although there was a great deal of brawling in the stands at the Forum, after an incident where Maurice Richard elbowed a referee during a scrap on the ice which resulted in a long term suspension (the rest of the season and all of the playoffs), the crowd at the Forum reacted unkindly to Campbell who showed up to watch the game between the Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings despite being advised not to.
- 5. During the playoffs of one year, Maurice Richard was able to score 5 goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The newspaper the next day (March 24, 1944) claimed, "Maurice 5-Toronto 0".
After playing hockey for 15 years, Maurice Richard was able to retire from the game as a player and moved on to work in what profession?
- Montreal Canadiens Vice President. Maurice retired from playing hockey but stayed with the team, promoting Montreal Canadiens hockey and working as a vice president. However, he was not given anything to do, so he subsequently quit and spent time with his wife, Lucille.
- 2000. Maurice Richard died in the year 2000 from cancer. His death was a sad affair for many of his strong supporters and was a day of mourning for the French-Canadian people. He will always be remembered as the player who changed hockey and changed the French Canadians, creating a belief of equality and the fight for rights and 'freedom'.