One of the greatest hockey players in Canadian history
is Maurice Richard. He is an idol to many people who
love the game of hockey. His accomplishments are still
talked about today even though he retired from the
game 45 years ago.
Maurice Richard was bron in Montreal, Canada on August
4th, 1921. He grew up playing hockey and was so talented
that he joined the Montreal Canadiens' hockey team
in 1942, at the age of 21. Maurice Richard was such
a skilled player that everyone who played and loved
the game of hockey began looking up to him. He was
known for his ability to score goals, and for his
quick speed on his skates. This is why he was given
the nickname: Maurice "The Rocket" Richard.
Maurice Richard accomplished many things in his career.
He was the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games
in one season. He was also the first player to score
500 goals in his career. He did not only accomplish
personal goals, but was also a member of a very successful
team. While playing with the Canadiens, he won 11
Stanley cups (1st place in hockey playoffs.)
Maurice Richard was always the top scorer in the National
Hockey League during his career, except in 1955. During
this year, Maurice Richard was suspended from playing
before of violence towards an official. The penalty
was not fair, and the fans of Montreal caused a riot
in the city because of their favorite player.
Even
though his career has been over for a long time, the
legend of Maurice "The Rocket" Richard is
still strong in Canada. He was inducted into the Hockey
Hall of Fame as soon as he retired from playing professional
hockey in 1961. In 1999, a trophy was created in his
honour. This trophy is given out each year to the
player in the National Hockey League who scores the
most goals in the regular season. In 2001, a monument
of Maurice Richard was placed in a park in Montreal.
Maurice
Richard's legendary status is what inspired writer
Roch Carrier to write a children's book about the
famous hockey player. In his book, Carrier shows just
how much children looked up to Maurice Richard and
how everybody who played hockey wanted to be just
like him. He was an inspiration to millions of Canadians
and to all hockey players all over the world.
