A BIG LOSS FOR THE HOCKEY WORLD
When I was a youngster watching my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada during the Original Six era, one Leaf stood out for his tenacious pursuit of the puck and ability to create scoring chances. And that individual was Dave Keon. But Keon wasn't the only player I watched when it came to being all over the puck and setting up his linemates. Besides Keon, I considered Detroit's Norm Ullman and Montreal's Henri Richard as the NHL forwards to emulate for a determined and graceful style of play.
On March 6, Henri Richard passed away at the age of 84.
It was really no big surprise when Henri Richard decided to become a hockey player. His older brother, Maurice, was already an icon when young Henri joined the Montreal Canadiens in October 1955. At the age of 16, he was already a star in Quebec. Henri was 19 when he attended the Canadiens training camp in September '55 at the Verdun Auditorium.
Montreal had a good idea that their hot prospect was ready to make the jump from the Junior Canadiens to the big league club. In his final season in the QJHL, Richard led all scorers with 66 points in 44 contests. He was a gifted center, with a right-hand shot, but was considered small when it came to height, and had a slight build.
Henri Richard made his National Hockey League debut at home in the Forum on October 5, 1955. Although his name didn't appear in the scoring summary, Richard's performance didn't go unnoticed.
"The young Richard skated fast and elusively, manoeuvred well, but had a habit of carrying his stick too high," noted a newspaper report.
His first NHL goal was scored on October 15, on home ice. At the 5:14 mark of the second period, Richard got the puck past New York goalie Gump Worsley, with assists going to Bert Olmsted and Jean-Guy Talbot.
By the end of December, Richard had raised his goal total to 11, the best for NHL freshmen. On the night he scored his 11th goal, his brother hit a goal scoring milestone when he connected for his 500th goal. This figure combined his goals for the regular season and playoff games.
This contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal on December 29 is an example of how quickly Henri had managed to make a name for himself. While it was a big night for Maurice, The Pocket Rocket, a nickname given to Henri, also had a banner night. In Montreal's 5-2 win, Henri produced one goal and added three assists. One newspaper headline noted, "Even When He Pots His 500th Goal Rocket Shaded by the Pocket Rocket."
In a December '55 interview with the hockey magazine, Blueline, Toe Blake shared his report card on his prized rookie.
"He carries the puck well, can make a play, has a good shot and has already shown us that he can score goals in the NHL," said the Habs coach. Blake went on to say, "He's not afraid of the rough going and shows remarkable savvy for a youngster of his size."
Further down in the article, Maurice Richard provided this review of his now teammate, Henri.
"He has rare speed, a good shift, and he wants to play," stated The Rocket. "It's ambition that counts, and he has enough for two or three guys."
As the Canadiens closed out 1955 on December 31, Richard suffered a sprained ankle that left him out of the line-up. He returned to action on January 18 against Toronto. One reporter wrote of Richard's return that he "was elusive as ever in the first two periods."
At the conclusion of the 1955-56 season, Henri Richard finished with 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 64 games.
In many ways, Richard's first NHL campaign was a map for his future. He established himself as a hard working, and skilled playmaker. The Richard name wouldn't hamper his progress. He wouldn't be buried in the shadow of his big brother.
Another standard that would remain with him throughout his career was set in Richard's first appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. On April 10, 1956, Montreal captured the Stanley Cup against Detroit. It was Richard's first of eleven Cups and it remains to be National Hockey League record for most Cups by a player.
And in the Stanley Cup final, Henri Richard lived the dream of scoring several Cup-winning goals.
The first came in the 1966 Cup final against Detroit. In game six at the Olympia, Richard scored a controversial goal at 2:20 of overtime. The Red Wings claimed that Richard used his glove to push the puck past Roger Crozier. When interviewed after the game, Richard told the press the puck went off his hip into the net.
Richard repeated his heroics in the 1971 Cup final at Chicago Stadium and he did it in dramatic fashion. At the 18:20 mark of the third period, Richard scored the equalizer to send the contest into overtime. Then, with everything on the line, Richard worked his magic one more time. After taking a pass from Rejean Houle, Richard moved past defenceman Keith Magnuson and only had Tony Esposito to beat in Chicago's net. The Cup-winning tally was scored at 2:34 of OT.
As expected, Richard was pleased with the result. He said afterwards that it was "the best of the 10 Stanley Cups I've won."
Earlier in the Cup final, Richard openly criticized Montreal coach Al MacNeil for his line changing decisions. Richard addressed the situation following game seven.
"I should have kept my mouth shut," said Richard. "But I just lost my temper, it was one of those things I'll always be sorry for. Now maybe everybody will forget."
That wasn't the first time Richard was at odds with Montreal management. Unhappy with his ice time in February 1968, Richard requested to be traded if he wasn't used on a regular basis.
He left the team and told Canadian Press, "I cannot sit on the bench. If the money is not coming in [if he left the game for good] I would have to change my life a little and live with less money. But I'd rather do that than what I've been doing."
Eventually the matter was resolved and Richard helped the Canadiens win another Stanley Cup. The four game sweep over the St. Louis Blues was Toe Blake's last Stanley Cup as coach of the Habs.
On December 20, 1973, Richard reached the 1,000 point mark when he assisted on a goal scored by Jim Roberts.
The Montreal Canadiens celebrated the career of their captain on January 26, 1974, with Henri Richard Night at the Forum. Through a donation drive, $111,000 was raised and Richard requested the donation be turned over to St. Arsene Orphanage.
During the summer of 1973, Richard signed his final contract with the Montreal Canadiens. It was a two-year deal that made him the highest-paid Hab. Richard turned down an offer from the WHA Houston Aeros.
Richard, now 39 years-old, announced his retirement on July 14, 1975. He talked about his decision during a press conference.
"After 20 years, a good thing is coming to an end," said Richard. "I thank the Canadiens hockey club for their confidence in me and their understanding of me." He also pointed out that his age and the amount of travel influenced the direction he took.
Richard skated in 1256 regular season games and recorded 358 goals and 688 assists for a total of 1046 points. In 1957-58 and 1962-63, he led the NHL in assists. The assist stat cemented his reputation as a skillful playmaker. In 180 playoff tilts, he amassed 129 points on 49 goals and 80 helpers.
He was named to the First All-Star Team in 1958, and the Second All-Star Team in 1959, 1961, and 1963. He played in a total of ten All-Star Games. Richard was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1974. It went to a player for his perseverance and sportsmanship. The Canadiens retired his number 16 and a banner was raised to the rafters.
Once he hung up his skates, Richard looked after the very popular tavern he owned in Montreal until its closing in 1986. Also, he became a spokesperson for the Pop Shoppes in Quebec and ultimately a co-owner with former Toronto Maple Leaf Eddie Shack. The former Leaf was a spokesperson for the Ontario division. The company sold soft drinks.
The final recognition of Richard's great career was in 1979, when he became an Honoured Member in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Richard entered the Hall with Harry Howell and Bobby Orr.
In his speech, Richard made reference to his association with Eddie Shack and the Pop Shoppes.
"Twenty years in the National Hockey League and I end up with Eddie Shack."
The line brought the house down.
Henri Richard was born on February 29, 1936, in Montreal, Quebec. He passed away on March 6, 2020, in Laval, Quebec.
On March 6, Henri Richard passed away at the age of 84.
It was really no big surprise when Henri Richard decided to become a hockey player. His older brother, Maurice, was already an icon when young Henri joined the Montreal Canadiens in October 1955. At the age of 16, he was already a star in Quebec. Henri was 19 when he attended the Canadiens training camp in September '55 at the Verdun Auditorium.
Montreal had a good idea that their hot prospect was ready to make the jump from the Junior Canadiens to the big league club. In his final season in the QJHL, Richard led all scorers with 66 points in 44 contests. He was a gifted center, with a right-hand shot, but was considered small when it came to height, and had a slight build.
Henri Richard made his National Hockey League debut at home in the Forum on October 5, 1955. Although his name didn't appear in the scoring summary, Richard's performance didn't go unnoticed.
"The young Richard skated fast and elusively, manoeuvred well, but had a habit of carrying his stick too high," noted a newspaper report.
His first NHL goal was scored on October 15, on home ice. At the 5:14 mark of the second period, Richard got the puck past New York goalie Gump Worsley, with assists going to Bert Olmsted and Jean-Guy Talbot.
By the end of December, Richard had raised his goal total to 11, the best for NHL freshmen. On the night he scored his 11th goal, his brother hit a goal scoring milestone when he connected for his 500th goal. This figure combined his goals for the regular season and playoff games.
This contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal on December 29 is an example of how quickly Henri had managed to make a name for himself. While it was a big night for Maurice, The Pocket Rocket, a nickname given to Henri, also had a banner night. In Montreal's 5-2 win, Henri produced one goal and added three assists. One newspaper headline noted, "Even When He Pots His 500th Goal Rocket Shaded by the Pocket Rocket."
In a December '55 interview with the hockey magazine, Blueline, Toe Blake shared his report card on his prized rookie.
"He carries the puck well, can make a play, has a good shot and has already shown us that he can score goals in the NHL," said the Habs coach. Blake went on to say, "He's not afraid of the rough going and shows remarkable savvy for a youngster of his size."
Further down in the article, Maurice Richard provided this review of his now teammate, Henri.
"He has rare speed, a good shift, and he wants to play," stated The Rocket. "It's ambition that counts, and he has enough for two or three guys."
As the Canadiens closed out 1955 on December 31, Richard suffered a sprained ankle that left him out of the line-up. He returned to action on January 18 against Toronto. One reporter wrote of Richard's return that he "was elusive as ever in the first two periods."
At the conclusion of the 1955-56 season, Henri Richard finished with 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 64 games.
In many ways, Richard's first NHL campaign was a map for his future. He established himself as a hard working, and skilled playmaker. The Richard name wouldn't hamper his progress. He wouldn't be buried in the shadow of his big brother.
Another standard that would remain with him throughout his career was set in Richard's first appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. On April 10, 1956, Montreal captured the Stanley Cup against Detroit. It was Richard's first of eleven Cups and it remains to be National Hockey League record for most Cups by a player.
And in the Stanley Cup final, Henri Richard lived the dream of scoring several Cup-winning goals.
The first came in the 1966 Cup final against Detroit. In game six at the Olympia, Richard scored a controversial goal at 2:20 of overtime. The Red Wings claimed that Richard used his glove to push the puck past Roger Crozier. When interviewed after the game, Richard told the press the puck went off his hip into the net.
Richard repeated his heroics in the 1971 Cup final at Chicago Stadium and he did it in dramatic fashion. At the 18:20 mark of the third period, Richard scored the equalizer to send the contest into overtime. Then, with everything on the line, Richard worked his magic one more time. After taking a pass from Rejean Houle, Richard moved past defenceman Keith Magnuson and only had Tony Esposito to beat in Chicago's net. The Cup-winning tally was scored at 2:34 of OT.
As expected, Richard was pleased with the result. He said afterwards that it was "the best of the 10 Stanley Cups I've won."
Earlier in the Cup final, Richard openly criticized Montreal coach Al MacNeil for his line changing decisions. Richard addressed the situation following game seven.
"I should have kept my mouth shut," said Richard. "But I just lost my temper, it was one of those things I'll always be sorry for. Now maybe everybody will forget."
That wasn't the first time Richard was at odds with Montreal management. Unhappy with his ice time in February 1968, Richard requested to be traded if he wasn't used on a regular basis.
He left the team and told Canadian Press, "I cannot sit on the bench. If the money is not coming in [if he left the game for good] I would have to change my life a little and live with less money. But I'd rather do that than what I've been doing."
Eventually the matter was resolved and Richard helped the Canadiens win another Stanley Cup. The four game sweep over the St. Louis Blues was Toe Blake's last Stanley Cup as coach of the Habs.
On December 20, 1973, Richard reached the 1,000 point mark when he assisted on a goal scored by Jim Roberts.
The Montreal Canadiens celebrated the career of their captain on January 26, 1974, with Henri Richard Night at the Forum. Through a donation drive, $111,000 was raised and Richard requested the donation be turned over to St. Arsene Orphanage.
During the summer of 1973, Richard signed his final contract with the Montreal Canadiens. It was a two-year deal that made him the highest-paid Hab. Richard turned down an offer from the WHA Houston Aeros.
Richard, now 39 years-old, announced his retirement on July 14, 1975. He talked about his decision during a press conference.
"After 20 years, a good thing is coming to an end," said Richard. "I thank the Canadiens hockey club for their confidence in me and their understanding of me." He also pointed out that his age and the amount of travel influenced the direction he took.
Richard skated in 1256 regular season games and recorded 358 goals and 688 assists for a total of 1046 points. In 1957-58 and 1962-63, he led the NHL in assists. The assist stat cemented his reputation as a skillful playmaker. In 180 playoff tilts, he amassed 129 points on 49 goals and 80 helpers.
He was named to the First All-Star Team in 1958, and the Second All-Star Team in 1959, 1961, and 1963. He played in a total of ten All-Star Games. Richard was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1974. It went to a player for his perseverance and sportsmanship. The Canadiens retired his number 16 and a banner was raised to the rafters.
Once he hung up his skates, Richard looked after the very popular tavern he owned in Montreal until its closing in 1986. Also, he became a spokesperson for the Pop Shoppes in Quebec and ultimately a co-owner with former Toronto Maple Leaf Eddie Shack. The former Leaf was a spokesperson for the Ontario division. The company sold soft drinks.
The final recognition of Richard's great career was in 1979, when he became an Honoured Member in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Richard entered the Hall with Harry Howell and Bobby Orr.
In his speech, Richard made reference to his association with Eddie Shack and the Pop Shoppes.
"Twenty years in the National Hockey League and I end up with Eddie Shack."
The line brought the house down.
Henri Richard was born on February 29, 1936, in Montreal, Quebec. He passed away on March 6, 2020, in Laval, Quebec.
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