Rocket Richard: Hockey Legend & Cultural Icon

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NHL News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. Maurice Richard, known as the Rocket, was one of hockey's all-time greats, especially for the Montreal Canadiens. Born into a poor family in August 1921, as the oldest of eight kids, he didn't start playing until age 14. Despite dropping out of school at 16 and battling major injuries like a broken ankle and wrist early on, he broke into the National Hockey League. In 1942, amid World War II player shortages. In his first full season of 1943-44, Richard scored 32 goals in 46 games and led Montreal to a Stanley Cup. The next year, he made history as the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games. He topped the league in goals several more times, hit 500 career goals first, and helped win eight cups total, earning all-star nods for 14 straight years. Richard became a symbol for French Canadiens in Quebec, where the Canadiens represented their

1:01heritage. Opponents taunted his culture, sparking fierce fights, and league president Clarence Campbell suspended him harshly. Fans felt it was unfair, especially after a 1955 slash incident led to Richard punching a referee and getting banned for the seasons. End and playoffs. That suspension ignited the Richard Riot, with 20,000 fans rioting near the forum, causing massive damage and dozens of arrests. Richard calmed them on radio, urging support for the team. He returned stronger, captaining Montreal to five straight cups from 1956. Richard retired in 1960 with 544 goals, entered the Hall of Fame right away, and had his number nine retired. Quebec honors him as a cultural hero, sparking the quiet revolution. The league named its top goal score trophy after him in 1998, and he passed away from cancer in May 2000, drawing over one 115,000 mourners. This story is shared with support from our sponsor.

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