View source for Maurice Richard

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (1921–2000)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = {{br entries|{{pre-nominal styles|pre-noms=[[The Honourable]]}}|Maurice Richard|{{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|CC|OQ}}}}
| halloffame = 1961
| image = Maurice richard profile.jpg
| caption = Richard in the 1940's
| alt = Richard posing for a portrait. He is wearing a serious look on his face with his short, black hair slicked back.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|8|4}}
| birth_place = [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|2000|5|27|1921|8|4}}
| death_place = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 180
| position = [[Winger (ice hockey)|Right wing]]
| shoots = Left
| played_for = [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| career_start = 1942
| career_end = 1960
}}
'''Joseph Henri Maurice''' "'''Rocket'''" '''Richard''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|CC|OQ}} ({{IPAc-en|r|ᵻ|ˈ|ʃ|ɑːr|d}} {{respell|rish|ARD}}, {{IPA|fr|mɔʁis ʁiʃaʁ|lang}}; August 4, 1921 – May 27, 2000) was a Canadian professional [[ice hockey]] player who played 18 seasons in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. He was the first player in NHL history to score [[List of NHL players with 50-goal seasons|50 goals in one season]], accomplishing the feat in [[50 goals in 50 games|50 games]] in [[1944–45 NHL season|1944–45]], and the first to reach [[List of NHL players with 500 goals|500 career goals]].

Richard retired in 1960 as the [[National Hockey League]]'s all-time leader in [[goal (ice hockey)|goals]] with 544. He won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy]] as the NHL's most valuable player in 1947, played in 13 [[NHL All-Star Game|All-Star Games]] and was named to 14 post-season [[NHL All-Star team]]s, eight on the first team. In 2017, Richard was named one of the [[100 Greatest NHL Players]] in history.<ref>{{cite web|title=100 Greatest NHL Players|url=https://www.nhl.com/fans/nhl-centennial/100-greatest-nhl-players|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=January 1, 2017|date=January 1, 2017}}</ref> His younger brother [[Henri Richard|Henri]] also played his entire career with the Canadiens, the two as teammates for Maurice's last five years. A [[center (ice hockey)|centre]] nicknamed the "Pocket Rocket", Henri is enshrined alongside Maurice in the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]].

Richard, [[Elmer Lach]] and [[Toe Blake]] formed the "[[Punch line (ice hockey)|Punch line]]", a high-scoring [[line (ice hockey)|forward line]] of the 1940s. 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 (ice hockey)|captain]] for the last four. The Hall of Fame waived its five-year waiting period for eligibility and inducted Richard in 1961. In 1975 he was inducted into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]]. The Canadiens [[List of NHL retired numbers|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.

The oldest of eight children, Richard emerged from a poverty-stricken family during the [[Great Depression]] and was initially viewed as a fragile player. A string of injuries prevented him from joining the Canadian military during the Second World War. Intense, he was renowned for his physical and occasionally violent style of play. Richard was involved in a [[violence in ice hockey|vicious on-ice]] incident late in the [[1954–55 NHL season|1954–55 season]] during which he struck a [[linesman (ice hockey)|linesman]]. NHL President [[Clarence Campbell]] suspended him for the remainder of the season and playoffs, which precipitated the [[Richard Riot]] in Montreal. The riot has taken on a mythical quality in the decades since and is often viewed as a precursor to Quebec's [[Quiet Revolution]]. 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.

In 1998, Richard was diagnosed with [[abdominal cancer]] and died from the disease two years later. He was the first non-politician to be honoured by the province of Quebec with a [[State funerals in Canada|state funeral]].

==Early life==
Joseph Henri Maurice Richard was born August 4, 1921, in [[Montreal]], Quebec. His father, Onésime Richard, was originally from the [[Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine|Gaspé]] region of Quebec, before moving to Montreal, where he married Maurice's mother, Alice Laramée. The couple settled in the neighbourhood of [[Nouveau-Bordeaux]].<ref name="Melancon11">{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|p=11}}</ref> Maurice was the oldest of eight children; he had three sisters: Georgette, Rollande and Marguerite; and four brothers: René, Jacques, [[Henri Richard|Henri]] and Claude.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=30}}</ref> Onésime was a [[carpenter]] by trade, and took a job with the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] shortly after Maurice was born.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=23}}</ref> The Richards struggled during the [[Great Depression]]; Onésime lost his job in 1930 and the family relied on government aid until he was re-hired by the railway around 1936.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=29–31}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=25–26}}</ref> He did not play organized hockey until he was 14. Instead, Richard developed his skills playing [[shinny]] and "hog"&nbsp;– a game that required the puck carrier to keep the puck away from others for as long as possible.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=26}}</ref> While he also played [[baseball]] and was a [[boxing|boxer]], hockey was his passion. After he began playing in organized leagues, Richard joined several teams and used [[pseudonym]]s such as "Maurice Rochon" to circumvent rules that restricted players to one team.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723">{{harvnb|Podnieks|2003|p=723}}</ref> In one league, he led his team to three consecutive championships and scored 133 of his team's 144 goals in the 1938–39 season.<ref name="Carrier 2001 37">{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=37}}</ref>

At 16, Richard dropped out of school to work with his father as a machinist.<ref name="Obrien29">{{harvnb|O'Brien|1961|p=29}}</ref> He enrolled in a technical school, intent on earning a trade certificate.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=36}}</ref> At 18, Richard joined the [[Verdun Maple Leafs (ice hockey)|Verdun Juniors]], though as a [[rookie]] he saw little ice time in the regular season.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=37}}</ref> He scored four goals in ten regular season games, and added six goals in four playoff games as Verdun won the provincial championship.<ref name="NHLStats">{{citation |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8448321 |title=Maurice Richard playing card |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=41}}</ref> He was promoted to the [[Montreal Canadiens]]' affiliate in the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]] in 1940, but suffered a broken ankle in his first game after crashing into the boards and missed the remainder of the season.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=45}}</ref> The injury also aborted his hopes of joining the [[Canadian Forces|Canadian military]]: he was called to a recruitment centre in mid-1941, but was deemed unfit for combat.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=47}}</ref>

Off the ice, Richard was a quiet, unassuming youth who spoke little.<ref name="Carrier 2001 37"/> He met his future wife Lucille Norchet when he was seventeen, and she was thirteen. She was the younger sister of one of his teammates at Bordeaux, and her bright, outgoing personality complemented Richard's reserved nature.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=34}}</ref> Lucille proved adept at guiding him through trials and disappointments he experienced in both hockey and life.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=41}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Foran42">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=42}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===First Stanley Cup===
[[File:Maurice Richard and Toe Blake.jpg|thumb|upright|Richard (''left'') sits beside [[Toe Blake]]. 
The pair, along with Elmer Lach, comprised the "Punch line" in the 1940s.|alt=Richard, in full uniform except for his skates, sits on a locker room bench and stares at teammate Toe Blake beside him]]
Having recovered from his broken ankle in time for the 1941–42 season, Richard returned to the QSHL Canadiens, with whom he played 31 games and recorded 17 [[point (ice hockey)|point]]s before he was again injured.<ref name="NHLStats" /> He suffered a broken wrist after becoming entangled with a defenceman and crashed into the net.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=48}}</ref> Richard rejoined the team for the playoffs. 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 [[1942–43 NHL season|1942–43 season]].<ref name="Foran42" /><ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=55}}</ref> He signed a contract worth $3,500 for the year and, wearing sweater number 15, made his NHL debut with the team.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=43}}</ref> Richard's first goal was against the [[New York Rangers]] on November 8, 1942.<ref name="LOHBio">{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196108&type=Player&page=bio&list= |title=Maurice Richard biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 10, 2014}}</ref>

Injury again sidelined Richard as his [[rookie]] season ended after only 16 games when he suffered a broken leg.<ref name="CanadiensHistory">{{citation |url=http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/player/Maurice-Richard |title=An emblematic icon of the Montreal Canadiens, Maurice Richard's influence and impact transcended the game |publisher=Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club |access-date=March 10, 2014 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123105531/http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/player/Maurice-Richard |url-status=dead }}</ref> The string of broken bones so early in his career left observers wondering if Richard was too fragile to play at the highest levels.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723"/> He made a second attempt to enlist with the military but was again turned down after x-rays revealed that his bones had not healed properly; Richard's ankle was left permanently deformed, forcing him to alter his skating style. Humiliated by the rejection, he intensified his training and reported to Montreal's training camp for the [[1943–44 NHL season|1943–44 season]] fully healthy.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=44–45}}</ref> The arrival of his daughter Huguette prompted Richard to change his uniform to number 9 to match her birth weight of nine pounds.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=63}}</ref>

Remaining healthy throughout the season, Richard appeared in 46 of Montreal's 50 games. He led the Canadiens with 32 goals and tallied 54 points, third-best in his team.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=288}}</ref> His first full NHL season not only ended the criticism about his ability to play in the league, but established him as one of the best young players in the league.<ref name="CanadiensHistory" /> Coach [[Dick Irvin]] shifted him from [[winger (ice hockey)|left wing]] to right and put him on a [[line (ice hockey)|forward line]] with [[Toe Blake]] and [[Elmer Lach]]. The trio, known as the "[[Punch line (ice hockey)|Punch line]]", formed a dominant scoring unit throughout the 1940s.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723" /> The Canadiens lost only six games after October, and went on to win the franchise's first [[Stanley Cup]] championship in 13 years.<ref name="CanadiensHistory" /> Richard led the league with 12 playoff goals,<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=289}}</ref> including a [[List of players with five or more goals in an NHL game|five-goal]] effort against the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in a semi-final game. He tied [[Newsy Lalonde]]'s NHL record for goals in one playoff game (equalled by three players since), which resulted in his being named [[three stars (ice hockey)|first, second and third star]] of the game,<ref>{{citation |url=http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/greatest-moment/Rocket-s-Three-Stars |title=Rocket's three stars |publisher=Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club |access-date=March 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407094814/http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/greatest-moment/Rocket-s-Three-Stars |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as chosen by journalist [[Charles Mayer (journalist)|Charles Mayer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportshall.ca/hall-of-famers/hall-of-famers-search.html?proID=378&lang=EN|title=Charles Mayer|year=1971|website=[[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]]|access-date=December 25, 2020}}</ref> Richard was named a [[NHL All-Star team|second team All-Star]] following the season. It was the first of 14 consecutive years he was named a league all-star.<ref name="Cameron156" />

===50 goals in 50 games===
The [[1944–45 NHL season]] was a record-setting one for Richard. He first set a new mark for points in one game when he made five goals and three assists in a 9–1 victory over the [[Detroit Red Wings]] on December 28, 1944; his eight points broke the previous record of seven held by three players,<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19441229&id=jYlAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5429,82343 |title=Maurice Richard holds new National League scoring mark |work=Nashua Telegraph |date=December 29, 1944 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |page=9}}</ref> and stood for 32 years until surpassed in 1976 by [[Darryl Sittler]].<ref>{{citation |last=Campbell |first=Neil |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uL0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=1150%2C3014040 |title=Sittler's 10 points bring bundle of records |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=February 9, 1976 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |page=15}}</ref> Richard achieved the feat despite arriving for the game exhausted from moving into his new home that afternoon.<ref name="McKinley141">{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=141}}</ref> He continued scoring at an unprecedented rate, and by February 1945 was approaching [[Joe Malone]]'s 27-year-old NHL record, set [[1917–18 NHL season|in 1918]], of 44 goals in one season.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19450213&id=q_8uAAAAIBAJ&pg=5321,2006342 |title=Maurice Richard sets torrid pace in NHL scoring |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=February 13, 1945 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |page=9}}</ref> Richard broke the record on February 25, 1945, in a 5–2 victory over Toronto. Malone was on hand to present Richard with the puck used to score the 45th goal.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ioVhAAAAIBAJ&pg=6031%2C4130506 |title=Rocket gets 45th as Habs humble Leafs, 5–2 |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=February 26, 1945 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |page=11}}</ref>
[[File:Hockey. Maurice Richard BAnQ P48S1P12157 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Richard in 1945. His feat of scoring 50 goals in 50 games was unmatched until [[Mike Bossy]] in 1980–81.<ref>{{citation |last=Kreiser |first=John |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=544419 |title=Stamkos hoping to join the NHL's 50-in-50 club |publisher=National Hockey League |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref>|alt=Richard poses for a photographer while wearing his full Canadiens uniform]]
As Richard approached [[List of NHL players with 50-goal seasons|50 goals]] for the season, opposition players resorted to increasingly violent efforts to prevent him from scoring. He had to fight past [[slashing (ice hockey)|slashes]], [[hooking (ice hockey)|hooks]], and even players who draped themselves across his back.<ref name="McKinley141" /> Richard went eight games without scoring and began Montreal's final regular season game, March 18, on the road against the [[Boston Bruins]] with 49 goals.<ref name="McKinley141" /> He finally reached the milestone by scoring with 2:15 remaining in the game, a 4–2 Montreal win.<ref>{{citation |url=http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/greatest-moment/50-In-50 |title=50-in-50 |publisher=Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015065358/http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/greatest-moment/50-In-50 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He became the first player to score 50 goals, a record that would stand until the 1960–61 season, when fellow Canadien, [[Bernie Geoffrion|Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion]] scored [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/geoffbe01.html 50 goals in 64 regular season games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026154428/https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/geoffbe01.html |date=October 26, 2021 }}. Richard's mark was not surpassed until [[Bobby Hull]] scored 54 goals in 65 games while playing for the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] during the 1965–66 season. His mark of [[50 goals in 50 games]] also became a standard that remains one of the most celebrated achievements in NHL history, unmatched until 36 years later when [[Mike Bossy]] did it [[1980–81 NHL season|in 1981]] &ndash; the first of only four players to match Richard's 50-in-50, in the more than 70 years since Richard set the mark.<ref>{{harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=57}}</ref> Richard finished the season with 73 points, seven behind Lach and six ahead of Blake, as the Punch line finished first, second and third in league scoring.<ref name="Diamond 2013 154">{{harvnb|Diamond|2013|p=154}}</ref> Richard finished second in the voting for the Hart Trophy as the league's [[most valuable player]], behind Lach.

Richard's critics argued that his scoring record was the result of talent dilution brought about by the war; when many players returned in [[1945–46 NHL season|1945–46]], he won his second Stanley Cup with Montreal, but his goal output was nearly halved to 27. Richard again reached lofty scoring totals in [[1946–47 NHL season|1946–47]], leading the league with 45 goals in a 60-game season and winning the [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy]] as the league's most valuable player for the only time of his career.<ref name="Pincus74">{{harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=74}}</ref><ref name="Cameron158">{{harvnb|Cameron|2013|p=158}}</ref> He finished second or third in the Hart Trophy voting a further five times in his career. Opponents continued their attempts to drive Richard to anger or frustration, as they had learned he could be goaded into taking himself out of the game by violently retaliating and [[fighting in ice hockey|fighting]].<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=50}}</ref> One such incident occurred in the [[1947 Stanley Cup Finals]] when Richard received a [[match penalty]] for striking Toronto's [[Bill Ezinicki]] over the head with his stick in a game two loss.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1913&dat=19470411&id=90QpAAAAIBAJ&pg=3111,1040394 |title=Maurice Richard finds himself in real trouble |work=Lewiston Evening Journal |date=April 11, 1947 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |page=19}}</ref> Richard was suspended for the third game of the series, which the Maple Leafs won.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=62}}</ref>

As the reigning most valuable player, Richard sought a pay raise prior to the [[1947–48 NHL season|1947–48 season]]. General manager [[Frank Selke]] refused, even after Richard and team captain [[Émile Bouchard]] both sat out the Canadiens' preseason before capitulating and returning to the team when the season began.<ref name="Foran63">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=63–64}}</ref> The Punch line was broken up after Blake suffered a career-ending leg injury.<ref name="Pincus74" /> Richard's season also ended early as he missed the final games of the season due to a knee injury.<ref name="Foran63" /> He finished second in team scoring with 53 points in 53 games, but Montreal missed the playoffs.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=295}}</ref> After recording only 38 points in [[1948–49 NHL season|1948–49]], Richard posted a 65-point campaign [[1949–50 NHL season|the next season]] and his 43 goals led the NHL for the third time.<ref name="NHLStats" /><ref name="Cameron158" /> In [[1950–51 NHL season|1950–51]], Richard scored 42 goals,<ref name="NHLStats" /> including his 271st career goal, making him Montreal's all-time goal leader.<ref name="melancon-20-22">{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|pp=20–22}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===All-time scoring leader===
[[File:Henry and richard.jpg|thumb|upright|A bloodied Richard shakes hands with Boston's goaltender [[Jim Henry (ice hockey)|Jim Henry]] after the Canadiens' 1952 Stanley Cup semi-finals win.|alt=Richard, with blood on his face, shakes hands with goaltender Jim Henry, who is hunched forward in a slight bow]]
Richard missed over 20 games of the [[1951–52 NHL season|1951–52 season]] due to injury,<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=194}}</ref> but overcame another ailment in the playoffs.<ref name="Carrier196">{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=196}}</ref> In the seventh and deciding game of the semi-final against Boston, Richard was checked by [[Leo Labine]] and briefly knocked unconscious after he fell and struck his head on [[Bill Quackenbush]]'s knee.<ref name="Carrier196" /> Though dazed, Richard returned to the game late in the third period after a large cut above his eye was stitched up. Canadiens coach [[Dick Irvin]] sent Richard back onto the ice in the final minutes of the contest, despite knowing Richard had suffered a [[concussion]]. Richard scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory that sent Montreal to the [[1952 Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref name="Foran75">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=75}}</ref> Following the game, a bloodied and still disoriented Richard was photographed shaking the hand of Boston goaltender [[Jim Henry (ice hockey)|Jim Henry]], who was also showing symptoms of injuries from the series and who appeared to be bowing to Richard following the Montreal player's "unconscious goal".<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/rocket/rokt512e.shtml |title=The bloody meeting |publisher=Canadian Museum of History |access-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102629/http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/rocket/rokt512e.shtml |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The photograph by Roger St.&nbsp;Jean is among the most famous images of Richard and one of the most iconic images in the league's history.<ref name="Foran75" /> In the final, Montreal lost to Detroit in four straight games.<ref>{{citation |last=Degeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1zErAAAAIBAJ&pg=7088%2C2334394 |title=Detroit sets record in capturing Stanley Cup |date=April 16, 1952 |access-date=March 20, 2014 |page=18}}</ref>

The [[1952–53 NHL season|1952–53 season]] began with Richard in close pursuit of [[Nels Stewart]]'s all-time NHL record of 324 goals.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=200}}</ref> Richard tied the record in Toronto on October 29, 1952, by scoring two goals against the Maple Leafs; his achievement earned a rousing ovation from Montreal's [[Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry|rival]] fans.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OoEtAAAAIBAJ&pg=7122%2C4642720 |title=Rocket ties N.H.L. goal record but Leafs win 7–5 |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 30, 1952 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |page=19}}</ref> He failed to score in his following three games as frenzied fans followed each contest in anticipation of the record-breaking marker.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=202}}</ref> In his fourth try, a November 8 game against Chicago, Richard scored his 325th goal at the 10:01 mark of the second period. According to the ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'', the ovation Richard received from his fans "shook the rafters" of the [[Montreal Forum]].<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dYMtAAAAIBAJ&pg=7335%2C1446729 |title=Rafters shake as Rocket bags record goal |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=November 10, 1952 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |page=20}}</ref> He finished the season with team-leading totals of 61 points and 28 goals&nbsp;– becoming the first player in NHL history to score at least 20 goals in his first ten full seasons.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=300}}</ref> Aided by Richard's 7 goals in 12 playoff games, the Canadiens defeated Boston in the [[1953 Stanley Cup Finals]] to capture Montreal's first Stanley Cup championship since 1946.<ref name="NHLStats" /><ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=209}}</ref>

Richard led the league in goals for the fourth time in his career with 37 in [[1953–54 NHL season|1953–54]], then for a fifth time in [[1954–55 NHL season|1954–55]] with 38 (shared with [[Bernie Geoffrion]]).<ref name="Cameron158" /> He scored his 400th career goal on December 18, 1954, against Chicago.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19541219&id=WKshAAAAIBAJ&pg=6834,2245905 |title=Maurice Richard scores 400th goal |work=Reading Eagle |date=December 19, 1954 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |page=38}}</ref>

===Richard Riot===
{{main article|Richard Riot}}
{{Quote box| quote ="What did Campbell do when [[Jean Béliveau]] was deliberately injured twice by [[Bill Mosienko]] of Chicago and [[Jack Evans (ice hockey)|Jack Evans]] of the Rangers? No penalty, no fine, no suspension. Did he suspend [[Gordie Howe]] of Detroit when he almost knocked out [[Dollard St. Laurent]]'s eye? No! ... Strange that only Dick Irvin and I have the courage to risk our livelihood by defending our rights against such a dictator."|align=right |width=30%|source=—Campbell forced Richard to cease writing for ''Samedi-Dimanche'' following these comments.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=80–81}}</ref>}}
Opposition players continued to try to stop Richard through physical intimidation, and he often retaliated with equal force. The situation led to a running feud with NHL President [[Clarence Campbell]].<ref name="Foran77">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=77}}</ref> Richard had been fined numerous times by Campbell for on-ice incidents and at one point was forced to post a $1,000 "good-behaviour bond" after he criticized Campbell in a weekly column he helped author for ''Samedi-Dimanche''.<ref>{{citation |last=Wheatley |first=W. R. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19541204&id=84EtAAAAIBAJ&pg=6115,808824 |title=Canadiens' Maurice Richard seeks no. 400. It may come Sunday against New York club |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=December 4, 1954 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |page=11}}</ref> Richard was among many in Quebec who believed that Campbell treated French Canadian players more harshly than their English counterparts.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=211}}</ref> The simmering dispute erupted after an incident in the Canadiens' March 13, 1955, game against Boston, when [[Hal Laycoe]] struck Richard in the head with his stick.<ref name="Pincus86">{{harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=86}}</ref> Richard retaliated by slashing viciously at Laycoe's head, then punched linesman [[Cliff Thompson]] when the official attempted to intervene.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q4ItAAAAIBAJ&pg=7240%2C2069187 |title=Rocket goes wild at Boston, clouts Laycoe, linesman |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=March 14, 1955 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |page=23}}</ref> Boston police attempted to arrest Richard for assault following the incident, but Montreal coaching staff and teammates refused police entry in protest.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=89}}</ref>

Following two days of deliberation, Campbell announced that he had suspended Richard&nbsp;– who was leading the NHL's overall scoring race at the time&nbsp;– for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.<ref>{{citation |last=Wheatley |first=W. R. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RoItAAAAIBAJ&pg=7068%2C2524808 |title=Richard out for season and playoffs |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=March 17, 1955 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |page=1}}</ref> In English Canada, Campbell was praised for doing what he could to control the erratic Richard. Unknown to most at the time, Campbell had long wanted to impose a lengthy suspension on Richard over his previous outbursts. As NHL president however, Campbell ultimately answered to the league's owners and they were reluctant to see such severe discipline imposed against one of the league's star players on account of their value in increasing game attendance.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|pp=82–83}}</ref> In French Quebec the suspension was viewed as an injustice, an unfair punishment given to a Francophone hero by the Anglophone establishment.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723"/> 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.<ref name="Pincus86" /> 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. Fans fleeing the arena were met by a large group of demonstrators who had massed outside prior to the game's start.<ref name="Pincus86" />

The mob of over 20,000 people developed into a [[riot]]. Windows and doors were smashed at the Forum and surrounding businesses. By the following morning, between 65 and 70 had been arrested.<ref>{{citation |last=MacDonald |first=D. A. L. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R4ItAAAAIBAJ&pg=7266%2C2684993 |title=Mob rule wrecks Forum, game |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=March 18, 1955 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |page=1}}</ref> Over 50 stores were looted and 37 people injured. Damage was estimated at $100,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|CA|100000|1955}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars).{{inflation-fn|CA}}<ref name="Pincus86" /> Richard had also attended the game, but left immediately following the forfeit. Frank Selke attempted to persuade him to return to try to disperse the crowd, but Richard refused, fearing that he would instead further inflame the passions of the mob.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=98}}</ref> He took to the radio the next day asking for calm: "Do no more harm. Get behind the team in the playoffs. I will take my punishment and come back next year and help the club and the younger players to win the Cup."<ref name="Pincus86" />

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.<ref name="Diamond 2013 154"/> Richard never won the point title, finishing second five times in his career. Montreal fans booed Geoffrion when he surpassed Richard on the final day of the regular season.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1954-55 |title=Art Ross Trophy winner – Geoffrion, Bernie |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407055520/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=ART&year=1954-55 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fans continued to jeer Geoffrion into the following season.<ref name="Carrier234">{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|pp=234–235}}</ref> Montreal reached and lost the [[1955 Stanley Cup Finals]] four games to three without Richard.<ref name="Foran100">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=100}}</ref> The defeat was a bitter loss for Richard, who struggled to control his anger.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=229}}</ref>

===Captain of a dynasty===
Richard fulfilled his promise to Canadiens' fans, made in his post-riot radio address, by leading Montreal to a Stanley Cup championship in [[1955–56 NHL season|1955–56]] &ndash; the start of a still unprecedented 5 consecutive Stanley Cup victories by one team.<ref name="Foran100" /> The season began with the arrival of his young brother and future fellow NHL Hall of Famer [[Henri Richard|Henri]], a [[center (ice hockey)|centre]] given the nickname the "Pocket Rocket" to the Canadiens roster.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197903&type=Player&page=bio&list= |title=Henri Richard biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909230249/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197903&type=Player&page=bio&list= |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also marked the return of his former Punch line teammate, Toe Blake, as head coach.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=232}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Carrier234" /> Richard finished the season with 38 goals and 71 points, second on the team in both respects to [[Jean Béliveau]]'s 47 goals and 88 points.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=304}}</ref> Richard added 14 points in 10 playoff games as Montreal defeated Detroit to claim the Stanley Cup.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=305}}</ref> He scored the second and ultimately Cup-clinching goal in the fifth and final game, a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M40jAAAAIBAJ&pg=6565%2C1894485 |title=Canadiens defeat Red Wings, 3–1, win Stanley Cup |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=April 11, 1956 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=1}}</ref>

Entering his 15th NHL season in [[1956–57 NHL season|1956–57]], Richard's teammates named him [[captain (ice hockey)|captain]] of the Canadiens, succeeding Émile Bouchard, who had retired prior to the season.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19560927&id=5-YxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5900,3090182 |title=Rocket" captain |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 27, 1956 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=13}}</ref> With 33 goals and 62 points, Richard again finished second on the team to Béliveau.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=306}}</ref> In the playoffs, he scored the overtime-winning goal in the fifth game of the semi-final to eliminate New York, then scored four goals in a 5–1 victory over Boston in the first game of the finals en route to a five-game series win and second consecutive championship for Montreal.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=307}}</ref>
[[File:Maurice Richard scoring his 500th goal 1957.jpg|thumb|left|Richard scoring his 500th goal, 1957]]
Richard reached a major scoring milestone early in the [[1957–58 NHL season|1957–58 season]]. During the first period of a 3–1 victory over Chicago on October 19, 1957, he became the first player in NHL history to [[List of NHL players with 500 goals|score 500 goals]] in his career.<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s0wwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6934%2C4239121 |title=Rocket gets 500th goal, Canadiens defeat Hawks 3–1 |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 21, 1957 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=25}}</ref> As Richard celebrated with his teammates, it was announced to the Montreal Forum crowd: "Canadiens' goal, scored by Mr. Hockey himself, Maurice Richard".<ref>{{citation |last=Curran |first=Pat |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s0wwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5200%2C4240567 |title=Happy like a rookie |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 21, 1957 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=25}}</ref> He played only 28 regular season games that season, scoring 34 points,<ref name="NHLStats" /> as he missed three months due to a severed [[Achilles tendon]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19580212&id=4tlYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4872,2463479 |title='Rocket' Richard to return |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=February 12, 1958 |access-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref> Returning in time for the playoffs, Richard led Montreal with 11 goals and 15 points as the team won its third consecutive Stanley Cup. He scored the overtime-winning goal in the fifth game of the finals against Boston. It was the sixth playoff overtime-winning goal of his career, and the third during the finals, both NHL records.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=309}}</ref>
[[File:Maurice Richard jersey.JPG|thumb|upright|Sweater that was worn by Richard during his final season|alt=A Montreal Canadiens sweater with the Canadien's "CH" logo on the front with a smaller C denoting Richard as the captain and the number 9 on the arms]]
At 37, Richard was the oldest player in the NHL in [[1958–59 NHL season|1958–59]].<ref name="OldestPlayer">{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19590121&id=sG4pAAAAIBAJ&pg=4593,3287800 |title=Rocket Richard out 6 weeks |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=January 21, 1959 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=11}}</ref> He scored 38 points in 42 games,<ref name="NHLStats" /> but missed six weeks due to a broken ankle.<ref name="OldestPlayer" /> Injuries again plagued Richard during the [[1959–60 NHL season|1959–60 season]] as he missed a month due to a broken cheekbone.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1870&dat=19591128&id=CH0oAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433,4836096 |title=Rocket Richard out for month |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=November 28, 1959 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=7}}</ref> Montreal nonetheless won the Stanley Cup in both seasons. Richard scored no points in four games in the [[1959 Stanley Cup Finals]], but recorded a goal and three assists in [[1960 Stanley Cup Finals|1960]].<ref name="NHLStats" /> The titles were the seventh and eighth of Richard's career,<ref name="Cameron158" /> and Montreal's five consecutive championships remain a record.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=313}}</ref> The 1956–60 Canadiens rank as one of eight [[Dynasty (sports)|dynasties]] recognized by the NHL.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31167 |title=Dynasties: Standings |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref>

The playoff goal was Richard's last, as on September 15, 1960, he announced his retirement as a player.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b48tAAAAIBAJ&pg=6805,2744054 |title=Maurice (the Rocket) Richard Retires |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |page=25}}</ref> 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. In Richard's retirement speech, he said he had been contemplating leaving the game for two years, and stated that at age 39, the game had become too fast for him.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19600916&id=N-kxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5389,121161 |title=Gave fans more thrills than any star in history |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |page=25}}</ref> Upon learning of Richard's retirement, Gordie Howe offered praise for his former rival: "He sure was a drawing card. He brought in the crowds that helped pay our wages. Richard certainly has been one of the greatest players in the game and we will miss him."<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b48tAAAAIBAJ&pg=3473,2744936 |title=One of greats says Gordie |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |page=25}}</ref>

==Playing style==
Richard was nicknamed "the Comet" early in his career. 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.<ref name="Cameron156" /> The nickname described Richard's play in terms of speed, strength, and determination. Teammate and coach Toe Blake said the moniker was fitting because "when he would take off, nothing got in his way that could stop him".<ref name="TelegraphRetrospective">{{citation |last=Grimsley |first=Will |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19881022&id=zBImAAAAIBAJ&pg=7010,6457176 |title=Richard: The original Rocket |work=The Telegraph |location=Nashua, NH |date=October 22, 1988 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |page=C10}}</ref> 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]]".<ref name="Cameron156" /> [[Glenn Hall]] agreed: "What I remember most about Rocket was his eyes. 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. It was terrifying."<ref name="TelegraphRetrospective" />
[[File:Hhof maurice richard.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] is presented annually to the leading goal scorer in the NHL|alt=A trophy featuring a brass-coloured statuette of Richard atop a wood base with metal plates bearing the inscription of the trophy's winners]]
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.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=59}}</ref> Richard's own temper was infamous, as illustrated by his actions that precipitated the Richard Riot.<ref name="SheerTerror">{{citation |last=Murray |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19660422&id=2otRAAAAIBAJ&pg=7152,4289671 |title='Rocket' used sheer terror on puck foes |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |date=April 22, 1966 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |page=Pt. 2, Pg. 3 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A pure goal-scorer, Richard did not play with finesse, nor was he known for his passing.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723" /> One of his teammates remarked that "Maurice wouldn't even pass you the salt".<ref name="SheerTerror" /> Richard led the NHL in goals five times, but never in points.<ref name="TelegraphRetrospective" /> He was best known for dashing toward the net from the [[Ice hockey rink|blue line]] and was equally adept at scoring from his forehand or backhand. His exploits revived a Montreal Canadiens franchise that had struggled to draw fans in the 1930s.<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19850207&id=xg0vAAAAIBAJ&pg=1549,3105610 |title=Players owe a large debt to Richard |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=February 7, 1985 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |page=E8}}</ref> In addition to his 14 appearances on post-season all-star teams (eight on the first team, six on the second), Richard played in 13 consecutive [[NHL All-Star Game]]s between 1947 and 1959.<ref name="Cameron156" />

Richard was still an active player when [[Gordie Howe]] overtook his career record for points.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19600114&id=BNoxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6940,2540148 |title=Gord Howe ties Rocket Richard but Wings lose |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=January 14, 1960 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |page=17}}</ref> Howe surpassed Richard's career mark of 544 goals in 1963, while the latter's record of 50 goals in one season stood for 20 years until broken by [[Bobby Hull]] in 1965.<ref name="Cameron156" /> The Montreal Canadiens donated the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] to the NHL in 1999 as an award presented annually to the league's leading goal scorer.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashrocketrichard.shtml |title=Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 2, 2014 |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628064124/http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashrocketrichard.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Upon his retirement as a player, Selke offered Richard a job as a team ambassador and promised to pay him his full playing salary in the first year.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=129}}</ref> After serving in the position for three years, Richard was named a vice-president of the Canadiens in 1964. He became disgruntled with a role he felt was powerless and only honorary, and resigned one year later.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19650830&id=cIY1AAAAIBAJ&pg=7398,5603225 |title=Maurice Richard resigning as Canadiens' vice-president |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=August 30, 1965 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=21}}</ref> Richard grew estranged from the organization as his desire to be involved in the team's operations was ignored, and the split deepened when the Canadiens forced Frank Selke to retire in 1965.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=134}}</ref> He eventually refused to allow his name to be associated with the team.<ref name="Foran135">{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=135}}</ref>

As Richard struggled both with the need to find a purpose to his post-retirement life and the fear of being forgotten,<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=133}}</ref> he attached his name to numerous endeavours. He acted as a consulting editor for a magazine titled ''Maurice Richard's Hockey Illustrated'',<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19621107&id=GSIrAAAAIBAJ&pg=3583,3482946 |title=Richard branches out |work=Reading Eagle |date=November 7, 1962 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=36}}</ref> owned the "544&nbsp;/&nbsp;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. He continued to use his name as a promotional vehicle for over 30 years after his retirement.<ref>{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|p=52}}</ref> Richard briefly returned to hockey in 1972 as head coach for the [[Quebec Nordiques]] of the [[World Hockey Association]].<ref>{{citation |last=Bauch |first=Hubert |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gh4rAAAAIBAJ&pg=807%2C6192499 |title=Rocket returns – as Quebec WHA pilot |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=July 28, 1972 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=15}}</ref> He lasted only two games, a win and a loss, before finding himself unable to handle the strain of coaching.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19721028&id=H34xAAAAIBAJ&pg=2415,3736905 |title=Filion follows Richard as Nordiques' coach |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 28, 1972 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=33}}</ref> Richard reconciled with the Canadiens in 1981 and resumed his team ambassador role.<ref name="Dictionary-Canadian-Biographies">{{citation |last=Vigneault |first=Michel |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/richard_maurice_22E.html |title=Richard, Maurice, known as the Rocket |work=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |publisher=University of Toronto |year=2005 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref>

Richard and his wife, Lucille, lived in Montreal where they raised seven children: Huguette, Maurice Jr., Norman, André, Suzanne, Paulo and Jean.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=164}}</ref> They had 14 grandchildren.<ref name="death">{{citation |url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichard/may27_dead.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140403022512/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichard/may27_dead.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 3, 2014 |title=Maurice Richard dead at 78 |publisher=Slam! Hockey |date=May 27, 2000 |access-date=April 2, 2014 }}</ref> Lucille died of cancer in 1994,<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2011|p=166}}</ref> two years after the Richards celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19920915&id=G69NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5602,3562282 |title=Richard: 50 goals, 50 years of marriage |work=Lakeland Ledger |date=September 15, 1992 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=2D}}</ref> Richard's companion late in his life was Sonia Raymond.<ref>{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|p=13}}</ref>

==Illness and death==
[[File:Tombe de MRichard1.JPG|thumb|Tomb for Richard at [[Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery]] in Montreal|alt=A black stone headstone of Richard in the foreground, atop a grass field, with trees in the background]]
It was announced in 1998 that Richard was diagnosed with [[abdominal cancer]]. He died from the disease two years later on May 27, 2000<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/rocket-richard-dead-at-78-1.207536 |title=Rocket Richard dead at 78 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 18, 2000 |access-date= August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123113357/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/rocket-richard-dead-at-78-1.207536|archive-date=November 23, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and was entombed at the [[Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery]] in Montreal.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Répertoire des personnages inhumés au cimetière ayant marqué l'histoire de notre société|publisher=Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery|location=Montreal|language=fr}}</ref> Prior to game 1 of the [[2000 Stanley Cup Finals]] between the [[New Jersey Devils]] and [[Dallas Stars]], there was a short tribute video highlighting the great moments and legacy of Richard's career.

==Legacy==
Numerous honours were bestowed upon Richard throughout and following his career: the [[Canadian Press]] named him its [[Lionel Conacher Award|male athlete of the year]] on three occasions,<ref name="ConacherAward" /> and in 1957, Richard won the [[Lou Marsh Trophy]] as Canada's athlete of the year.<ref name="LouMarshTrophy" /> The Canadiens [[List of NHL retired numbers|retired]] his sweater number 9 in 1960,<ref name="Cameron158" /> while the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] waived its five-year waiting period after retirement and inducted him in 1961.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers723" /> That same year, the 5,000-seat [[Maurice Richard Arena]] was built and named in his honour.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AY4tAAAAIBAJ&pg=5901,1447907 |title=Sunday opening Richard arena |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=December 7, 1961 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |page=32}}</ref>

Upon the creation of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1967, Richard was named one of the inaugural members<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19671225&id=xghPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7157,3137738 |title=Canada honors its own after long hesitation |work=Toledo Blade |date=December 25, 1967 |access-date=April 2, 2014 |page=11}}</ref> and, in 1998, was elevated to the rank of Companion of the Order of Canada.<ref name="WalkofFame">{{citation |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/1999/maurice-richard |title=Maurice Richard |publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame |access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]] honoured him in 1975,<ref name="CSHOF">{{citation |url=http://www.sportshall.ca/stories.html?proID=381&catID=all&lang=EN |title=Honoured member – Maurice Richard |publisher=Canada's Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=April 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407150403/http://www.sportshall.ca/stories.html?proID=381&catID=all&lang=EN |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Richard was given a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] in 1999.<ref name="WalkofFame" /> He was appointed to the [[Queen's Privy Council for Canada]] in 1992.<ref name="Dictionary-Canadian-Biographies"/>

[[File:Monument Maurice Richard Gatineau (40010551175).jpg|thumb|The monument to Richard outside Jacques Cartier Park in [[Gatineau, Quebec]]|alt=A bronze statue of Richard in full uniform and a skating pose]]
While he was a popular player throughout Canada, Richard was an icon within Quebec.<ref name="LOHBio" /> Author [[Roch Carrier]] explained the passion Richard elicited from the fans in his 1979 Canadian-classic short story ''[[The Hockey Sweater]]''.<ref name="THNSweater">{{citation |last=Campbell |first=Ken |title=The Greatest Jerseys of All Time |work=The Hockey News |year=2010 |page=38 |issn=0018-3016}}</ref> Carrier wrote of how he and his friends all emulated Richard's style and mannerisms: "we were five Maurice Richards against five other Maurice Richards, throwing themselves on the puck. We were ten players all wearing the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens, all with the same burning enthusiasm. We all wore the famous number&nbsp;9 on our backs."<ref>{{citation |last=Tarasoff |first=Tamara |url=http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/cpm/catalog/cat2208e.shtml |title=Roch Carrier and The Hockey Sweater |publisher=Canadian Museum of Civilization |access-date=January 1, 2013}}</ref> The story's publication and subsequent adaptation into a [[National Film Board of Canada|National Film Board]] animated short helped entrench Richard's image as a pan-Canadian icon.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/sports/hockey/the-spirit-of-hockey/the-hockey-sweater.html |title=The Hockey Sweater |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{citation |last=Brodie |first=Rob |url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichard/jun3_for.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140403041036/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichard/jun3_for.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 3, 2014 |title=Forum for a true icon |work=Ottawa Sun |date=June 3, 2000 |access-date=April 2, 2014 }}</ref> Upon his death, the province of Quebec honoured Richard with a [[State funerals in Canada|state funeral]], a first in Quebec for a non-politician. Over 115,000 people paid their respects by viewing his lying in state at the [[Molson Centre]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.3335256 |title=A hero's funeral for Maurice Richard |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=May 30, 2000|access-date=December 25, 2025}}</ref>

The Richard Riot has achieved a mythical place in Canadian folklore.<ref>{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|pp=186–187}}</ref> The riot is commonly viewed as a violent manifestation of the discontent Francophones within Quebec held with their place in largely Anglophone Canada, and some historians consider the riot to be a precursor to the 1960s [[Quiet Revolution]].<ref name="Pincus86" /> In its 40th anniversary retrospective of the Riot, Montreal newspaper ''[[La Presse (Canadian 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."<ref>{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|p=114}}</ref> Richard himself publicly dismissed his role as a catalyst for cultural or political change.<ref>{{harvnb|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|1975|loc=starting at 12:47}}</ref> In a 1975 interview, he said he played with "English boys" and was largely unaware of the situation in French Quebec at the time.<ref>{{harvnb|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|1975|loc=starting at 5:51}}</ref>

In an article published four days after the riot, journalist [[André Laurendeau]] was the first to suggest that it was a sign of growing [[Québec nationalism|nationalism in Quebec]]. Laurendeau suggested the riot "betrayed what lay behind the apparent indifference and long-held passiveness of French Canadians".<ref name=laurendeau>{{citation |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/histoire/90ans/90_richa.htm |work=Le Devoir |title=On a tué mon frère Richard |first=André |last=Laurendeau |page=4 |date=March 21, 1955 |language=fr}}</ref> In contrast, in his book ''The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard'', Benoît Melançon disputes the importance of the riot, stating its perceived importance in history grew retroactively with Richard's myth.<ref>{{harvnb|Melançon|2009|p=115}}</ref> Melançon 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."<ref name="BlakeReview">{{citation |last=Blake |first=Jason |url=http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=24872 |title=Two Hockey Solitudes in the Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard |publisher=Humanities & Social Sciences Online |date=August 2009|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>

In 2025, Richard was officially named an historic figure by the [[Government of Quebec]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Quebec names Montreal Canadiens great Maurice Richard a ‘historic figure’ |url=https://www.cjme.com/2025/05/26/quebec-government-names-montreal-canadiens-great-maurice-richard-a-historic-figure-2/ |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=980 CJME |agency=The Canadian Press |date=26 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The government defines an historic figure as “a person who actually existed, is now deceased, and played a role in the history of Quebec or in a specific domain of that history.”<ref>{{cite news |title=Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice Richard named a historical figure |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/montreal-canadiens-legend-maurice-richard-named-a-historical-figure/ |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=CTVNews Montreal |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Bell Media |date=25 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Announcing the designation on the 25th anniversary of Richard's death, Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe said that "Maurice Richard was not only an exceptional athlete…he also embodied the pride and aspirations of French-speaking Quebecers."<ref>{{cite web |title=Maurice Richard given historic figure distinction by province of Quebec |url=https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/maurice-richard-given-historic-figure-distinction-by-province-of-quebec |website=nhl.com |publisher=Montréal Canadiens |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=en |date=26 May 2025}}</ref>

Richard is the subject of the 2005 biopic ''[[The Rocket (2005 film)|The Rocket]]'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Field|first=Russell|date=Spring 2014|title=Representing 'The Rocket': The Filmic Use of Maurice Richard in Canadian History|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/10.5406/jsporthistory.41.1.15.pdf|journal=Journal of Sport History|volume=41|issue=1|page=17|doi=10.5406/jsporthistory.41.1.15 |jstor=10.5406/jsporthistory.41.1.15|s2cid=190051314 }}</ref> and the 2025 documentary film ''[[Maurice (2025 film)|Maurice]]''.<ref>Justine Smith, [https://www.cbc.ca/arts/maurice-is-an-intimate-look-at-quebec-s-biggest-hockey-hero-1.7471905 "Maurice is an intimate look at Quebec's biggest hockey hero"]. [[CBC Arts]], February 28, 2025.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Brendan |title=New film on Maurice Richard shows the man behind the myth |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment-life/movies-tv/article776756.html |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=Montreal Gazette |publisher=Postmedia |date=25 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{| class="plainrowheaders" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align:center; width:60em"
|- style="background-color: #e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" style="background-color: #ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="26" style="background-color: #ffffff" | &nbsp;
! scope="col" colspan="5" | [[Regular season|Regular&nbsp;season]]
! rowspan="26" style="background-color: #ffffff" | &nbsp;
! scope="col" colspan="5" | [[Playoffs]]
|- style="background-color: #e0e0e0"
! scope="col" | [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | GP
! scope="col" | [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! scope="col" | [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! scope="col" | [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! scope="col" | [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! scope="col" | GP
! scope="col" | G
! scope="col" | A
! scope="col" | Pts
! scope="col" | PIM
|-
| scope="row" | 1939–40
| [[Verdun Maple Leafs (ice hockey)|Verdun Maple Leafs]]
| QJHL
| 10
| 4
| 1
| 5
| 2
| 4
| 6
| 3
| 9
| 2
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | 1939–40
| Verdun Maple Leafs
| [[Quebec Senior Hockey League|QSHL]]
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 1
| 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[1940 Memorial Cup|1939–40]]
| Verdun Maple Leafs
| [[Memorial Cup|Mem. Cup]]
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| 7
| 7
| 9
| 16
| 16
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | 1940–41
| Montreal Canadiens (Sr.)
| QSHL
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 1
| 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" | 1941–42
| Montreal Canadiens (Sr.)
| QSHL
| 31
| 8
| 9
| 17
| 27
| 6
| 2
| 1
| 3
| 6
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1942–43 NHL season|1942–43]]
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 16
| 5
| 6
| 11
| 4
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[1943–44 NHL season|1943–44]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 46
| 32
| 22
| 54
| 45
| 9
| 12
| 5
| 17
| 10
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1944–45 NHL season|1944–45]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 50
| 50
| 23
| 73
| 46
| 6
| 6
| 2
| 8
| 10
|-
| scope="row" | [[1945–46 NHL season|1945–46]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 50
| 27
| 22
| 49
| 50
| 9
| 7
| 4
| 11
| 15
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1946–47 NHL season|1946–47]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 60
| 45
| 26
| 71
| 69
| 10
| 6
| 5
| 11
| 44
|-
| scope="row" | [[1947–48 NHL season|1947–48]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 53
| 28
| 25
| 53
| 89
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1948–49 NHL season|1948–49]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 59
| 20
| 18
| 38
| 110
| 7
| 2
| 1
| 3
| 14
|-
| scope="row" | [[1949–50 NHL season|1949–50]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 70
| 43
| 22
| 65
| 114
| 5
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 6
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1950–51 NHL season|1950–51]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 65
| 42
| 24
| 66
| 97
| 11
| 9
| 4
| 13
| 13
|-
| scope="row" | [[1951–52 NHL season|1951–52]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 48
| 27
| 17
| 44
| 44
| 11
| 4
| 2
| 6
| 6
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1952–53 NHL season|1952–53]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 70
| 28
| 33
| 61
| 112
| 12
| 7
| 1
| 8
| 2
|-
| scope="row" | [[1953–54 NHL season|1953–54]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 70
| 37
| 30
| 67
| 112
| 11
| 3
| 0
| 3
| 22
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1954–55 NHL season|1954–55]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 67
| 38
| 36
| 74
| 125
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[1955–56 NHL season|1955–56]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 70
| 38
| 33
| 71
| 89
| 10
| 5
| 9
| 14
| 24
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1956–57 NHL season|1956–57]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 63
| 33
| 29
| 62
| 27
| 10
| 8
| 3
| 11
| 8
|-
| scope="row" | [[1957–58 NHL season|1957–58]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 28
| 15
| 19
| 34
| 28
| 10
| 11
| 4
| 15
| 10
|- style="background-color: #f0f0f0"
| scope="row" | [[1958–59 NHL season|1958–59]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 42
| 17
| 21
| 38
| 27
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
| scope="row" | [[1959–60 NHL season|1959–60]]
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 51
| 19
| 16
| 35
| 50
| 8
| 1
| 3
| 4
| 2
|- style="background-color: #e0e0e0"
! scope="row" colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 978
! 544
! 422
! 966
! 1,285
! 133
! 82
! 44
! 126
! 188
|}
==Coaching record==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Season !! colspan="6"|[[Regular season]] !! [[Playoffs|Postseason]]
|-
! G !! W !! L !! T !! Pts !!Finish !! Result
|-
! [[Quebec Nordiques|QUE]] !! [[1972–73 WHA season|1972–73]]
| 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || (71) || (resigned) || —
|}

==Awards and honours==
[[File:Rocket Richard 500th NHL goal puck (photo by Djuradj Vujcic).jpg|thumb|right|The puck Richard used to score his [[List of NHL players with 500 goals|500th NHL goal]] on October 19, 1957. Richard was the first player in league history to record 500 career goals.]]

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:center; background:#e0e0e0" |National Hockey League
|-
! scope="col" style="width:21em" | Award
! scope="col" style="width:10em" | Year
! scope="col" | Ref.
|-
| [[NHL All-Star team|First team All-Star]]
| [[1944–45 NHL season|1944–45]], [[1945–46 NHL season|1945–46]],<br />[[1946–47 NHL season|1946–47]], [[1947–48 NHL season|1947–48]],<br />[[1948–49 NHL season|1948–49]], [[1949–50 NHL season|1949–50]],<br />[[1954–55 NHL season|1954–55]], [[1955–56 NHL season|1955–56]]
|<ref name="Cameron156">{{harvnb|Cameron|2013|p=156}}</ref>
|-
| Second Team All-Star
| [[1943–44 NHL season|1943–44]], [[1950–51 NHL season|1950–51]]<br />[[1951–52 NHL season|1951–52]], [[1952–53 NHL season|1952–53]]<br />[[1953–54 NHL season|1953–54]], [[1956–57 NHL season|1956–57]]
|<ref name="Cameron156" />
|-
| 8x [[Stanley Cup]] champion
| [[1944 Stanley Cup Finals|1943–44]], [[1946 Stanley Cup Finals|1945–46]], [[1953 Stanley Cup Finals|1952–53]], [[1956 Stanley Cup Finals|1955–56]], [[1957 Stanley Cup Finals|1956–57]], [[1958 Stanley Cup Finals|1957–58]], [[1959 Stanley Cup Finals|1958–59]], [[1960 Stanley Cup Finals|1959–60]]
|
|-
| [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy]]<br /><small>Most valuable player</small>
| 1946–47
|<ref name="LOHHart">{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1946-47 |title=Hart Memorial Trophy Winner – Maurice Richard |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=February 19, 2014}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:center; background:#e0e0e0" |National
|-
! scope="col" style="width:21em" | Award
! scope="col" style="width:10em" | Year
! scope="col" | Ref.
|-
| [[Lionel Conacher Award|Canadian Press male athlete of the year]]
| 1952, 1957<br />1958
|<ref name="ConacherAward">{{citation |url=http://www.conacher-rosenfeld.ca/les_gagnants-winners-eng.html |title=Conacher–Rosenfeld winners |publisher=Canada's Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123113554/http://www.conacher-rosenfeld.ca/les_gagnants-winners-eng.html|archive-date=November 23, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lou Marsh Trophy]]<br /><small>Canadian athlete of the year</small>
| 1957
|<ref name="LouMarshTrophy">{{citation |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/2008/12/09/lou_marsh_winners.html |title=Lou Marsh winners |work=Toronto Star |date=December 9, 2008 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
{{portal|Ice hockey}}
* [[List of family relations in the NHL]]
* [[List of players with five or more goals in an NHL game]]

=== Archives ===
There is a Maurice Richard [[fonds]] at [[Library and Archives Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 25, 2016|title=Maurice Richard fonds description at Library and Archives Canada|url=http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=5174401&lang=eng|access-date=November 4, 2022|website=}}</ref> The archival reference number is R9534.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Finding Aid of Maurice Richard fonds|url=https://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf002/p000003556.pdf|access-date=November 4, 2022|website=}}</ref>

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|30em}}

===General===
{{refbegin}}
*''Career statistics'': {{citation |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8448321 |title=Maurice Richard playing card |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 3, 2014}}
*{{citation |editor-last=Cameron |editor-first=Steve |title=Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Players |year=2013 |publisher=Firefly Books |location=Richmond Hill, Ontario |isbn=978-1-77085-224-2}}
*{{citation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1795950856 |title=Looking back on the milestone Richard Riot |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=March 17, 1975 |access-date=August 21, 2018 |ref={{harvid|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|1975}}}}
*{{citation |last=Carrier |first=Roch |others=Fischman, Sheila (translator) |title=Our Life With The Rocket: The Maurice Richard Story |year=2001 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=0-670-88375-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/ourlifewithrocke0000carr }}
*{{citation |last=Diamond |first=Dan |title=National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2014 |year=2013 |publisher=Diamond Sports Data, Inc. |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-1-894801-26-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalhockeyle0000unse }}
*{{citation |last=Foran |first=Charles |title=Maurice Richard |year=2011 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-0-670-06412-0}}
*{{citation |editor-last=Lavigne |editor-first=Carl |title=2013–14 Montreal Canadiens Media Guide |publisher=Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club |year=2013}}
*{{citation |last=McKinley |first=Michael |title=Hockey: A People's History |year=2006 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=0-7710-5769-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki }}
*{{citation |last=Melançon |first=Benoît |others=Reed, Fred A. (translator) |title=The Rocket: A Cultural History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J0QwOEVsDsAC&q=Maurice%20Richard&pg=PP1 |year=2009 |publisher=Greystone Books |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |isbn=978-1-55365-336-3}}
*{{citation |last=O'Brien |first=Andy |title=Rocket Richard |year=1961 |publisher=Ryerson Press |location=Toronto, Ontario}}
*{{citation |last=O'Brien |first=Andy |title=Rocket Richard |year=2001 |publisher=Ryerson Press |location=Toronto, Ontario|isbn=978-0-9686220-4-9}}
*{{citation |last=Pincus |first=Arthur |title=The Official Illustrated NHL History |year=2006 |publisher=Reader's Digest |location=Montreal, Quebec |isbn=0-88850-800-X}}
*{{citation |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |title=Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL |year=2003 |publisher=Doubleday Canada |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=0-385-25999-9}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{icehockeystats|legendsm=P196108|Maurice Richard}}
*[http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/rocket/rocket1e.shtml "Rocket" Richard: The Legend – The Legacy] – [[Canadian Museum of History]]
* {{DictCanbio|ID=7992}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Émile Bouchard]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Montreal Canadiens#Team captains|Montreal Canadiens captain]]|years = [[1956–57 NHL season|1956]]–[[1959–60 NHL season|60]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Doug Harvey (ice hockey)|Doug Harvey]]}}
{{s-bef|before = Position created}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[List of Quebec Nordiques head coaches|Head coach of the Quebec Nordiques]]|years = 2 games, [[1972–73 WHA season|1972]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Maurice Filion]]}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Max Bentley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy Winner]]|years = [[1946–47 NHL season|1947]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Buddy O'Connor]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Charlottetown Islanders}}
{{Lou Marsh Trophy}}
{{Lionel Conacher Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard, Maurice}}
[[Category:Maurice Richard| ]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Burials at Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey coaches]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of French descent]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Montreal]]
[[Category:Hart Memorial Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Northern Star Award winners]]
[[Category:Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada]]
[[Category:Montreal Canadiens players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National Hockey League players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Officers of the National Order of Quebec]]
[[Category:People from Ahuntsic-Cartierville]]
[[Category:Quebec Nordiques coaches]]
[[Category:Stanley Cup champions]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Verdun Maple Leafs (ice hockey) players]]