We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Privately, however, Richard blamed Campbell for deliberately inciting the crowd with this appearance at the Forum. He played for the Montreal Canadiens.He played for 18 years (1942-1960) in the National Hockey League (NHL), totaling 544 goals and 421 assistants (965 points), in 978 regular season games played. Maurice grew up on the family farm near Horace, North Dakota. Lucille died in 1994 because of cancer, two years before the couples 50th wedding anniversary. [65] Richard retaliated by slashing viciously at Laycoe's head, then punched linesman Cliff Thompson when the official attempted to intervene. As he was interested in hockey from an early age, he played for school and neighborhood teams. Richard was a member of eight Stanley Cup championship teams, including a league record five straight between 1956 and 1960; he was the team's captain for the last four. One of the NHL's all time greatest, known as Rocket Richard. To play on more than one team, Richard adopted aliases, the most well known-being Maurice Rochon. His 50 goals in 50 games during the 1944-45 season, created a record that stood for 36 years. Borden, Timothy "Richard, Maurice 2023 . [129], The Richard Riot has achieved a mythical place in Canadian folklore. . He would lead the league in goal scoring four more times in his career on his way to becoming the first NHL player to score 500. In 1944, Richard led Montreal to the Stanley cup over Chicago by contributing 12 scores in nine contests. He was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season, accomplishing the feat in 50 games in 194445, and the first to reach 500 career goals. Maurice himself presented the inaugural Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy to another hockey star, Teemu Selanne, in the following year. The main premise of the non-profit org was to raise funds to send poor . Often called "Mr. Hockey," Gordie Howe is acknowledged as one of the best-ever all-around players in the hi, Little Richard [132] In a 1975 interview, he said he played with "English boys" and was largely unaware of the situation in French Quebec at the time. Encyclopedia.com. Richard's last major public appearance occurred at the closing of the old Montreal Forum on March 11, 1996, where he was given an extended standing ovation by the audience. Opposing players knew how to get under Richards skin by insulting the French culture. After suspending Richard, Campbell attended the next game at Montreal and was attacked by a fan. The next year would put Richard in the history books forever as he became the first player to score fifty goals in a season and doing so in just fifty games. [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. When officials decided to forfeit the game, pandemonium broke out. Maurice Richard was born in Montreal. When France settled Quebec in the 17th Century, they were referred to as the les habitants, the settlers of New France. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. Humiliated by the rejection, he intensified his training and reported to Montreal's training camp for the 194344 season fully healthy. Richard had a powerful drive to win. After he began playing in organized leagues, Richard joined several teams and used pseudonyms such as "Maurice Rochon" to circumvent rules that restricted players to one team. In 1961, he was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame just one year after retiring though this recognition is given to other players only after five years of retirement. Late in the 1955 season, Richard took a slash to the head and by Boston Bruin Hal Laycoe. [35] Richard broke the record on February 25, 1945, in a 52 victory over Toronto. Although his fans' passions sometimes boiled over, as in the infamous riot that followed his 1955 suspension, they 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 1960s and beyond. During the first period of a 31 victory over Chicago on October 19, 1957, he became the first player in NHL history to score 500 goals in his career. Initially, because of the poor economic family background, Maurice was unable to begin playing hockey. Suddenly he skated back into the game, grabbed the puck and raced up the ice. Maurice Richard, who won eight Stanley Cups during his Hall of Fame career, died in 2000. . "[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 one particular incident, an enraged fan throw a gas-bomb at him in the arena which caused the game to be forfeited in the opponents favor. During the same time, Richard was called to the Canadian Military Recruitment Office for duty, but the offer was turned down because of an injury. [87] Returning in time for the playoffs, Richard led Montreal with 11 goals and 15 points as the team won its third consecutive Stanley Cup. Maurice Richard was born on the 4th of August, 1921. [18] They were engaged when he was 20, and though her parents felt she was too young, married on September 12, 1942, when she was seventeen. [108] Richard briefly returned to hockey in 1972 as head coach for the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association. Although he was often criticized himself for his rough tactics on the ice, Richard's rivalry with Detroit Red Wings star Gordie Howe delighted fans of both teams. The fans grew restless, then angry, and someone threw a smoke bomb onto the ice. 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. [76], Richard fulfilled his promise to Canadiens' fans, made in his post-riot radio address, by leading Montreal to a Stanley Cup championship in 195556 the start of a still unprecedented 5 consecutive Stanley Cup victories by one team. Joseph Henri Maurice Richard was born on August 4, 1921, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Richard left the game to receive five stitches to a head wound caused by Laycoe, and Laycoe received a five-minute penalty for high sticking. Richard was a cultural icon among Quebec's francophone population; his legend is a primary motif in Roch Carrier's short story The Hockey Sweater, an emblematic work of Canadian culture. . [3] Onsime was a carpenter by trade, and took a job with the Canadian Pacific Railway shortly after Maurice was born. Genealogy for Maurice Richard (1925 - 2005) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. For 18 brilliant seasons, Richard played for the only team Montreal Canadiens that ever mattered to him. . After retirement, Richard became a front-office official for the Canadiens and continued his famous Sunday Column in Le Journal de Montreal. Maurice married Lucille Richard on September 17 1942, at age 21. Classic Sports Legends, Rocket Richard, http://www.classicsports.com/cp/HallofFame/RocketRichard.htm, (May 10, 1999). Background. She was the younger sister of one of his teammates at Bordeaux, and her bright, outgoing personality complemented Richard's reserved nature. . [88], At 37, Richard was the oldest player in the NHL in 195859. Outraged by Campbell's seeming arrogance, the mob turned violent and began smashing windows and looting stores in downtown Montreal. 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. He led the Canadiens with 32 goals and tallied 54 points, third-best in his team. This was also the first of fourteen straight seasons that Richard would be named an All-Star. 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. Richard, himself, was stunned. [34] He continued scoring at an unprecedented rate, and by February 1945 was approaching Joe Malone's 27-year-old NHL record, set in 1918, of 44 goals in one season. As Richard approached 50 goals for the season, opposition players resorted to increasingly violent efforts to prevent him from scoring. [72] He took to the radio the next day asking for calm: "Do no more harm. Canadian hockey player Eventually, fans calmed down and left the area. This oftentimes led to vicious fights, because Richard was a countryman with pride and never backed down. Richard suffered his first major injury in his first game with the Royals when he crashed into the boards and broke his ankle. At 16, Maurice dropped out of school and worked with his father as a machinist and that was his only income other than some income in the winter with the senior Canadiens. Maurice started his professional ice hockey career by playing for Verdun Juniors. Soon a dazed Richard was back on the bench, half-blind from blood running into his eyes. [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. Because of the lack of French-Canadiens players in the NHL because of War, Richard was called up to the NHL in 1942. [42] He scored his 400th career goal on December 18, 1954, against Chicago. in Montreal, Quebec, This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: Maurice RICHARD (1921), Copyright Wikipdia authors - This article is under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. Fisher, Red. Retrieved April 27, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/richard-maurice. [45], As the reigning most valuable player, Richard sought a pay raise prior to the 194748 season. Laurendeau suggested the riot "betrayed what lay behind the apparent indifference and long-held passiveness of French Canadians". He would rejoin the team during the playoffs and perform well enough to earn a tryout for the Montreal Canadien NHL club. Richard, who was known to have a quick temper on the ice, continued his scoring streak. A formal inquiry took place, after which NHL president Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for the remainder of the season. He was born Nov. 2, 1930, in Biddeford, the youngest of seven children to Philas and Richard was blessed with his first daughter at the onset of the 1943-44 season, which prompted him to change his number to nine. https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/richard-maurice, Borden, Timothy "Richard, Maurice One of the greatest players in the history of hockey, Richard's legendary exploits on the ice helped the Montreal Canadiens win eight Stanley Cup championships during his eighteen years with the team. Manage Settings His father was a well-known sports columnist for the Washington Post, whose . NHL President Clarence Campbell often brought the hammer down hard on Richards and the opposing players rarely received equal punishment. Kailer Yamamoto Brother- Does He Have A Sister? [16], Off the ice, Richard was a quiet, unassuming youth who spoke little. For most hockey fans who arent taught Canadian, and in specific, Quebec history, one wouldnt recognize just how important Maurice Richard was to the French-Canadian people of Quebec. Lucille and Maurice are parents of seven children; five sons and two daughters. [96] Goaltender Jacques Plante declared it one of the most appropriate nicknames given to an athlete, noting the fierce intensity that often showed in Richard's eyes and comparing it to "the rocket's red glare" referenced in "The Star-Spangled Banner". Richard led the Montreal Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup championships, including five consecutive victories from 1956 to 1960. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But Maurice scored the most dramatic winning goal while he was revived but was still in a semiconscious state. Encyclopedia.com. [23], Injury again sidelined Richard as his rookie season ended after only 16 games when he suffered a broken leg. He acted as a consulting editor for a magazine titled Maurice Richard's Hockey Illustrated,[107] owned the "544/9 Tavern" (named for his career goal total and sweater number) in Montreal, and was a pitchman for dozens of products, including beer, hair dye, car batteries, fishing tackle and children's toys. At the conclusion of the 1959-60 season, Richard announced his retirement. [25] The arrival of his daughter Huguette prompted Richard to change his uniform to number 9 to match her birth weight of nine pounds. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Thus began one of the greatest hockey dynasties in the sport's history, as the team went on to win five consecutive championships. Compared to other NHL teams, the Canadiens have won nearly 24 Stanley Cup titles, making them the most successful franchise in league history. When he came flying toward you with the puck on his stick, his eyes were all lit up, flashing and gleaming like a pinball machine. Richard again reached lofty scoring totals in 194647, leading the league with 45 goals in a 60-game season and winning the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player for the only time of his career. After losing to Detroit in the 1954 championship by one game, the Canadiens were determined to turn the tables the following year. Therefore, he was put on the right wing of one of the most famous front lines in hockey history, the so-called "Punch Line." "[65], The suspension cost Richard the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer in the league, which he lost to teammate Geoffrion by one point. Ironically, the Canadiens' success from 1956 to 1960 occurred when Richard's skills were being dimmed by age. He sometimes played for several teams at one time, while he also studied at Montreal Technical School to become a machinist. With Richard, the eyes had it. This is an honor usually granted to a player at least five years after he has retired. As a teen, Richard excelled at baseball and boxing. 1939- [17] Lucille proved adept at guiding him through trials and disappointments he experienced in both hockey and life. The Montreal Canadiens, often referred to as the Habs, were named that because of their heritage. During a March 1990 meeting, the Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle presented his idol Maurice Richard with a gift - an abstract painting on the side of a nearly 7-foot door. He became disgruntled with a role he felt was powerless and only honorary, and resigned one year later. [13][42] In 195051, Richard scored 42 goals,[13] including his 271st career goal, making him Montreal's all-time goal leader. Later, Richard became the franchises career leader by scoring unique goals and was eventually named Hall of Famer. [82] With 33 goals and 62 points, Richard again finished second on the team to Bliveau. Richard did not play for the rest of the season and failed to win the scoring title that year. [84], Richard reached a major scoring milestone early in the 195758 season. Books, miniseries, documentaries and a . After suffering from several injuries, Maurice Richard retired in 1960 at the age of 39. "'He Was Everything to Us.'" Intense, he was renowned for his physical and occasionally violent style of play. We all wore the famous number9 on our backs. [75] The defeat was a bitter loss for Richard, who struggled to control his anger. [9], At 16, Richard dropped out of school to work with his father as a machinist. This achievement remained standard until Darryl Sittlers 10-point night in 1976. His nickname The Rocket was also named when one of the teammates joked Maurice went in like a rocket when he charged the net for a scoring opportunity. Canadiens coach Dick Irvin sent Richard back onto the ice in the final minutes of the contest, despite knowing Richard had suffered a concussion. During the 1980s, Maurice also wrote a sports column for Montreals La Presse. The Habs. The NHL decided in 1998 to name the award for highest goal scorer after the Rocket. George Russell Bio: Girlfriend, Net Worth & LaMelo Ball Bio: Lawsuit, Girlfriend & Net Davion Mitchell Bio: NBA Contract, Girlfriend, Net Who Is Valentin Tarasenko? He gave each of his 10 grandchildren a Stanley . Maurice Richard is the most iconic Canadian professional ice hockey player (born on August 4, 1921, and died on May 27, 2000). Shaquil Barrett Wife And Kids. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This score became the most iconic moment that defined Maurices image in the mind of hockey fans across the league. It's why "his people" erupted into what will always be remembered as the Richard Riot on March 17, 1955. As the most popular member of the Canadiens in the 1940s and 1950s, he symbolized the aspirations of a province that often felt slighted by the Anglo-dominated institutions that prevailed in the Canada of that era. Richard would be off the game, including the last three games of the regular season and all of the playoffs. This was the beginning to the Richard Riot. Perhaps one of the most revolutionary players to ever play the game of hockey, Maurice Richard brought hockey in Montreal to an elite level and set the bar high for every generation to come. Encyclopedia.com. Throughout much of his life he was an active member of Parliame, Howe, Gordie Maurice Richard Povich was born in the Washington District of Columbia on January 17, 1939. Joy of Hockey Web site. The 1943-44 season was Richards welcoming party into the NHL. He had to fight past slashes, hooks, and even players who draped themselves across his back. His girlfriend after the death of his wife was Sonia Raymond. . The piece, howev "Maurice Richard With the Canadiens mired in fourth place in the then-six-team NHL at the end of the season, there was little choice but to let Richard rejoin the team for the 1943-44 season. [31] The nickname described Richard's play in terms of speed, strength, and determination. Richard returned the following season and led the Habs to a Stanley Cup win and was then named captain of his team. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Richard Maurice Dargan of Beaverton, Oregon, who passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 68, leaving to mourn family and friends. 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. It was the first of 14 consecutive years he was named a league all-star. This decision came when Richard was at the peak of his career and leading his team Montreal Canadiens for first place in the NHL in scoring. Richard scored no points in four games in the 1959 Stanley Cup Finals, but recorded a goal and three assists in 1960. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Rocket Richard was honored as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. Both his parents were from Gaspe and moved to Montreal after their marriage. Richard, Elmer Lach and Toe Blake formed the "Punch line", a high-scoring forward line of the 1940s. In this way, Maurice Richard was introduced to ice hockey. [80] He scored the second and ultimately Cup-clinching goal in the fifth and final game, a 31 victory. Encyclopedia.com. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.