Maurice “the Rocket” Richard

"When he scored, he just didn't put it in the net, he tried to put it right through the net," former Rangers' goalie Emile (The Cat) Francis said of Richard's 544 goals in 18 seasons.

Clarence Campbell

NHL President Clarence Campbell is often described as arrogant. Most French Canadians regarded him as a symbol of the hated Anglophone ruling elite.

Maurice DuplessisMany believed that he sold the resources of the province to the highest bidder, indeed that he was serving the interests of the Anglophone elite, that he disregarded completely human rights, that overall his years in power should be considered as ‘les années noires’ [Dark years]. 

Jean LesageJean Lesage was Premier of Quebec 1960-1966. The Lesage years have come to be called the "Quiet Revolution" years.

The Quiet Revolution• The Quiet revolution was a period of intense social

change, of modernisation in Quebec and of a change in the role of Quebec and French Canadians within Confederation.

• The background to the Quiet Revolution years was the

Duplessis government which had been characterised by traditional French – English relations.

• The energies and hopes unleashed during the Quiet Revolution years shook the very foundations of Canada and are still being felt today.

• The slogan which best represents the Lesage years was "Maîtres chez nous" (Masters in our own house). The belief in Quebec, during this period, was that French Canadians should not be content to play a second class role to the English in Quebec and Canada

Rocket Richard

Richard symbolized the feelings of Quebecers. He was the greatest goal-scorer in hockey, and had a reputation as the most hot-tempered player on the Flying Frenchmen team. Always a high scorer, the Rocket was easily going to win the scoring title of the NHL in 1955.

The Francophone Hero"He gave us all hope," author Roch Carrier once said. "French Canadians are no longer to be condemned to be hewers of wood and drawers of water, to be servants, employees. We, too, are champions of the world."

The Rocket Fires • But Richard's temper could be as dangerous

as his shot. His career was marked with violent behaviour. Naturally that didn't make him popular with on-ice officials.

• On March 13, 1955, Montreal was playing in Boston and Richard was high-sticked by Bruins' defenceman Hal Laycoe. Richard didn't really notice the cut on his head at first, but seeing the blood angered him and he took off after Laycoe. He hit the Bruin twice with his stick and punched linesman Cliff Thompson, who had tried to break-up the fight. It was the second time Richard had hit an official that season.

The Suspension

• NHL president Clarence Campbell acted quickly, suspending Richard for Montreal's last three regular-season games ... and the entire Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Rocket Grounded

• Maurice "Rocket" Richard listens as he is suspended for the remainder of the 1955 season for the fight in Boston. Richard suffered a scalp wound that required eight stitches.

The Reaction of the Impatient Generation

• Francophones were angry. How dare Campbell suspend Richard for the rest of the season? He was a national hero.

• Death threats were made to Campbell. Warned one fan, "I'm an undertaker and you'll be needing me in a few days." Campbell refused to be intimidated and stuck to his decision.

The Francophone Saviour

• As great a player as he was, his status in Quebec was elevated to mythical heights after the suspension. Quebecers saw the severe treatment of their hero as just one more example of Anglo bosses putting French Canada in its place.

• As Storey says, hockey was a religion in Quebec, and "Richard was the Pope."

Four Days Later…When Campbell arrived late for the very next game at the Forum in Montreal, all hell broke loose. Hockey fans threw tomatoes and tear gas his way.

And the game…

The game was called-off and for the next four hours, there were riots on Sainte-Catherine Street. The rioters overturned cars and looted stores, and police made arrests.

Rocket Calls for Calm

With more trouble expected the following night, Richard went on the radio and TV to ask for calm. Although there was no further violence, the "Richard Riot" became an important moment in the Quebec independence movement. Many Quebecois still regard Campbell's suspension of Richard as an example of anti-French bias.

The Rocket, the Premier and Prime Minister

Richard’s status in Quebec never changed. Here more than 70 years old, his number nine jersey is retired. To the left of the Rocket Canada’s Prime Minister, at that time, Jean Chrétien and to the right the Premier of Quebec Lucien Bouchard help to celebrate the occasion.

Rocket’s Passing

On may 31st, 2000 more than 150,000 people lined the streets of Montreal for one last goodbye to the Rocket.