Focus Assignment

Focus Assignment
Maurice “Rocket” Richard


“He skates down the wing cuts into the middle, he shoots he scores! Maurice has done it, fifty goals in fifty games”. Maurice “Rocket” Richard was determined as a lion trying to catch its prey; this had led him to his great success. His presence had plagued many opposing players with fear and nervousness. With accomplishments of a god, a family that was behind his back and an emotional retirement he had done it all. The legacy of the “Rocket” has lived forever and will not be forgotten.

Maurice Richard was born in the Bordeaux district of Montreal on the 4th of August in 1921. Soon after he could walk he went straight to skating. He practiced everyday because of the back yard ice rink his father had made for him. Growing up he had joined the local and school hockey leagues. He had been each team’s top player every year as he was escalating his popularity and shredding through the hockey divisions. Though hockey was a second nature he decided to become a machinist for the Canadian Army. He was turned down all three times he applied due to past suffered injuries from hockey and inexperience. The rejection from the army pushed Maurice back to his hockey prime.

Coming back to hockey Maurice signed his first contract the day before his wedding day. The rookie season was a catastrophic disaster, he had only played sixteen games of eighty two from more injuries such as broken ankle and sprained limbs. Before the beginning of his sophomore season he changed his jersey number from fifteen to nine in honour of his first daughter. Maurice had come out of nowhere and was tallying points like no tomorrow. Everyone was astonished by his skill and determination, which consequently led his teammates to nickname him “Rocket”. The opposing goaltenders said, “You can see the fire in his eyes”. He carried the team on his back to win the Stanley Cup in only his second year of professional hockey career. As time went on he had achieved other milestones such as fifty goals in fifty games, this hard work earned him one hundred thirty five thousand a year. Except on night a huge bench brawl between Montreal and Boston broke out. During the skirmish, Maurice had struck the referee over the head and for that act of violence to an official was suspended. The suspension lasted for the rest of the season which was 5 games and the rest of the playoffs. During Maurice’s time off everyone in Montreal had started riots and vandalized the city. The riots lasted until Maurice was reinstated but that very year Montreal did not win the Stanley Cup.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard decided to hang his skates up in the year of 1960. His hockey life didn’t end yet, he had coached an expansion team named the Quebec Nordiques but was soon fired after a short period. From then on one of hockey’s greats had officially retired from hockey. Having played with Montreal his entire career, they retired his number right after he hung up his skates and was commemorated for his contributions to the team. The applause given to him was over fifteen minutes long and louder than a lions roar. Maurice had quoted, “Closing my eyes to the chants of fans made me feel younger”. His point totals where 978 games, 544 goals, 421 assists and 1285 penalty minutes. During game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2000 heartbreaking news had arrived, Maurice Richard had died at the age of eighty seven. At his funeral over one hundred thousand people had come to pay there respects.

A chapter in the hockey books had finished and a new one was underway, the legacy of Maurice “Rocket” Richard was and still remembered but everyone. His life as hockey player was very successful and time well spent. No one would forget the commentating of his goals and fantastic plays.

Away but not Forgotten (10)

• With many years that have gone by Maurice is the most celebrated player come to his anniversary.
• With his team and the "Flying Frenchmen" they could even beat Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers in their prime.
• In total he played 978 games, 544 goals, 421 assists and 1285 penalty minutes.
• 50 goals in 50 games, fans say it was a milestone.
• With stats like these he was without a doubt a superstar, it wasnt only his stats thatmade him a great player, his determination and mindset played vital roles in his success.
• Outside the Bell Centre they have Maurices's statue ina pose of skating.
• There was a junior hockey team named after him Rocket de Montreal.
• He was also to Canada's first walk of fame.

A Sad Day (9)

• May 27, 2000 Maurice lost his fight with cancer at the age of 87.
• The was an end to a very long and profound chapter of hockey.
• Over 100 000 had come to send their prayers to him in the arena.
• Team mates, family, friends and past coaches had all come and mourn over the death of "Flying Frenchman".
• Even rivals of Maurice that had fierce battles came to say there prayers to a fearful opponent.
• Before he died Maurice just said"He is an average hockey player" he never gave him self credit for what he did.
• Him being very modest and fame not going to his head many people thought that was why he succeeded.

Retirement After Success II (8)

• Maurice was shown at the new arena where the current Montreal Canadiens play, they moved from the Forum to the Bell Centre.
• They showed Maurice's videos of him playing and winning games with pride.
• He was weeping because of his past hockey years shown on the jumbo screen.
• the 18000 fans that gathered really never saw him play because he retired 36 years earlier.
• Even though they didnt see him play the standing ovation made him cry even more and lasted 15 minutes.
• Fans where chating his name over and over again for also 15 min, it was the longest known standing ovation for a NHL city.
• He carried the captain torch passed to him by Bouchard and the picture is famous today.
• He quoted "When I close my eyes it bring to the younger days when teh crowd chants".

Retirement After Success (7)

• Maurice had recieved many honours only one can dream of, The Stanley Cup and Lester B Pearson award.
• Maurice had been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the year of 1961.
• Usually a player waits 5 years to get inducted but Maurice was so recognized he was inducted right after the year he retired.
• The Montreal Canadiens also retired his number 9 .
• He became an officer of the order in 1967.
• Maurice still holds 2 records that even Wayne Gretzky did not break, they where most overtime goals, and most playoff game winning goals.
• He had also launched into Business by purchasing a Pub in greater Montrel
• He sold it 3 years later for more than twice the price he bought it for.
• He had been a guest writer for sports column for the Montreal's Le Presse.
• As a celebraty he was invited to American, Canadianand sometimes European sport shows.

Prime Times (6)

• After the end of Maurice's suspension he had gone and remained with the Canadiens.
• After many years of service for them he decided to hang his skates in the year of 1960.
• The NHL had expanded yet agian and brought on Montreals rivals, the Quebec Nordiques.
• Maurice's hockey life didnt end there, he had become the Nordiques coach for the team, he was offered the job by the teams founders.
• His coaching debut didnt last long although the Nordiques were playing decently well for a newcoming team.
• The retirement of Maurice Richard was an end to a chapter that would never be forgotten, he was without a doubt on of hockeys greatest players.
• They even named a trophy after him.

Riot! II (5)

• At the end of the season Richard had admitted that he had hit the Referee knowing it was not a Boston player.
• He had confessed because he felt as though he was getting pushed around and taking liberties that he would not stand for.
• Campbell and Richard met to discuss of the "Rockets" actions in games and Campbell was the one who had to suspend Richard.
• After his verdict Jean Drapeau the mayor of Montreal strongly urged Campbell not to go in to Montreal because he was afraid of him getting hurt by the outraged fans.
• When Campbell ignored Jean's advice and attended a Montreal game there where many objects thrown at him.

Riot! (4)

• An uncontrollable riot had occured during Maurices Richards reign on the Canadiens.
• Before the riot Maurice had gotten into a fight with a Boston Player named Harold Richardson.
• Maurice was getting cheapshotted and held up by the referee from fighting back.
• The "Rocket" had had enough and striked the referee with his stick across the and went after Harold.
• Later after this horrific event he had said in trial that he thought it was another Boston player holding him back, this brought Maurice to a suspension.
• The suspension cause and up roar and vandelism was occuring all over the city.
• Foreign objects thrown in the ice towards the referees and opposing players were only a few thigns they did.
• The crowd knew if there was no Maurice in the roster they would stand no chance so they had to riot.
• All together Maurice had missed the reamaining games of the season and the playoffs which the expectedly lost.

Maurice, Early NHL Years (3)

• The third year of his great career was yet another success
• Maurice had tallied 50 goals in 50 games, a major achievement even today.
• He was the fan favourite of Montreal and everyone had goe crazy over his skill.
• He was also the heart and soul, if there were no Maurice then there would be no Montreal Canadiens.
• He had won the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player (MVP)
• Even Conn Smythe admitted Maurice being the best player.
• The Montreal Canadiens had been to the Stanley Cup finals 10 times in a row and winning 6 of those 10 matches.
• All of his success were inspiring other kids to become just like him one day.
• He was making 135 000 a year with the team, back then it was an enourmas amount of money back then.

The Birth of Somthing New (2)

• Maurice had signed his first professional contract with the Montreal Canadiens the day before his weeding to Lucille.
• As the young superstar was entering the Nation Hockey League he had only been able to play 16 of 82 games.
• It was two fractures in his foot that had held him back from playing
• He had changed his number from 15 to 9 in honour of his first child which weighed in at 9 pounds.
• The second year of Maurice's career he came back stronger than ever with more stamina and skill henceforth he was nicknamed the "Rocket" by his teamates.
• He had gotten 32 goals in 46 games which was a major accomplishment.
• All the goaltenders had feared him because he was unstoppable, the Goalies shook in fear as they saw the fire in Maurice's eyes.
• As the season progressed he had carried his team to win the Stanley Cup in his sophmore season.
• He was a scoting machine scoring 9 goals in 12 games he was the MVP.

The Early Years of Maurice "Rocket" Richard (1)

• The hockey legend was born in the Bordeaux district of Montreal ont he 4th of August in 1921.
• He was the eldest of eight children in the family
• When Maurice learned to walk he went quickly on to skating.
• Got his first pair of skates when he was at the age of 4.
• He had played in the rink his dad for him in the back yard.
• As a child he had joined the minor league and school hockeyleagues for his town area.
• He had dominated in all the minor leagues and worked his way up the skill status rapidly.
• When he grew older he joined different devisions of the leagues.
• As he attended school he became a Michinist and attempted to joined the armed forces.
• He was turned down 3 times due to his diploma was not completed.
• When he had joined the National hockey League as a rookie he was plagued with injuries.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard

One of the most oustanding and well known players throughout hockey's history would be Maurice "Rocket" Richard. People called him rocket for nothing, he screamed down the ice like a jet and was very solid on his skates making him an unwanted foe. He saw the ice verywell and there had the edge to his game which led to great seccess in his career.



Here is what I know before reading the book:

• He had played for the Montreal Canadiens


• Had died at an early age


• Is already in the Hockey Hall of Fame