Maurice Richard Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Childhood And Early Life

Canadian hockey player Maurice Richard was born Joseph Henri Maurice Richard on the 4 August 1921 in Montreal, Canada. Richard who became known by the nickname Rocket had seven siblings and was raised in the neighborhood of Bordeaux in Montreal.

Education

After finishing school, Maurice Richard enrolled at the Montreal Technical School where he was taught to become a machinist.

Rise To Fame

He played hockey at school and in his local neighborhood, then progressed to playing in some teams including the Junior A Verdun Maple Leafs. In 1940 he signed a contract with the Montreal Senior Canadians and played with the club for two seasons.

Career

Richard played in the NHL for 18 seasons, and by the time he retired, he was the all-time leader in goals with 544 goals to his name at the time of his retirement.  He was the first player to score 50 goals in one season, and he was also the first player to score 500 goals over the course of his career.

In another first, the Hockey Hall of Fame induced Richard in 1961, one year after his retirement, waiving the usual five-year waiting period. In 1975, Richard was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Known as the Rocket, his younger brother Henri who was also a hockey player was given the nickname Pocket Rocket.

Controversies

During 1955, Richard was suspended for an attack on a player before the 1955 playoffs. The suspension led to what became known as the Richard Riots.

Personal Life

He was married to Lucille Richard from 1942 until her death in 1994. The couple had seven children together: Huguette, Jean, Maurice Jr., Suzanne, Pole, Andre, and Norman.

Richard died of complications from abdominal cancer in 2000 and was given a state funeral. The story of his life was made into a film, The Rocket (2005).

Awards And Achievements

Maurice Richard won the Hart Trophy in 1947. He was given a state funeral when he died. There is a monument honoring Richard at Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, Quebec. The Maurice Richard Trophy is an annual award given to the leading goal scorer in the Canadian National Hockey League.