Extraordinary Canadians: Maurice Richard

About this book

Born in 1921 into a working-class family Maurice Richard came of age as a French Canadian and athlete during an era when the majority population of Quebec slumbered. A proud reticent man Richard aspired only to score goals and win championships for the Montreal Canadiens. But he represented far more than a high-scoring forward who filled seats in NHL arenas. Beginning with his 50-goal 50-game season in 1944-45 and through his battles with the league over bigotry toward French-Canadian players Richards on-ice ferocity and off-ice dignity echoed the change in Quebec. The March 1955 Richard Riot in which fans went on a rampage to protest his suspension contained the seeds of transformation. By the time Richard retired in 1960 Quebec had begun to reinvent itself as a modern secular society. Author Charles Foran argues that the provinces passionate identification with Richards success and struggles emboldened its people and changed Canada irrevocably.