• NHL Goaltender 1972-1988.
• Played with Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Vancouver, Hartford Whalers
• Brodeur recorded 16 pro shutouts
• Born Longueuil, Quebec 1952
• Won Jacques Plante Trophy (Best Goaltender - QMJHL) (1972)
• Won Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup Tournament MVP) (1972)
• Shared Terry Sawchuk Trophy (fewest goals against - CHL) with Jim Park (1980)

Richard Brodeur tended goal in the mold of the prototypical little backstopper with razor-sharp reflexes and the agility to leap, flop, and stretch to cover holes that don't exist for larger goalies. And although some would resent being so small, Brodeur simply considered his size and style of play to be as valid as any other. The key was to keep the puck out of the net, a task he handled quite well throughout most of his career.

He played junior hockey for the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL from 1970 to 1972. In 1972, Brodeur was selected by the New York Islanders in the Amateur Draft. He opted instead, however, to join the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA. Over the seven seasons that followed he tasted pro hockey in all of its twists and turns. He faced a whole range of talents from amateurs to Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull.

In 1975-76, he experienced his best season as a professional by leading the WHA in games played at 69 and games won at 44. But as the Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979-80, Brodeur was left unprotected with his rights reverting to the Islanders. By then, however, they were filled to the brim with Billy Smith and Chico Resch between their pipes. As a result, Brodeur was sent to the minors where he toiled until the Vancouver Canucks picked him up in 1980.

In his second season on the West Coast, the little backstopper became a giant known as "King Richard" as he led his club on an extraordinary playoff run to the finals against the powerful New York Islanders. Canucks fans began to wave white towels yelling for "King Richard" to lead the way. The effort was valiant, though the Isles prevailed.

Brodeur remained as a stalwart Canuck until 1987-88. At that time, he was demoted to the AHL for a short stint before being traded to the Hartford Whalers. He appeared in only six games with the club to finish the season. He came back for one more go the following year, but retired after only six games with the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL in 1988.

Interview with a Legend by Ken Newans

Richard Brodeur achieved his first real recognition when he led the Cornwall Royals to the 1972 Memorial Cup. He was spectacular, recording 5 shutouts and he was recognized as the main reason his Orval Tessier coached team won 40 games and the Royals' first National Junior Hockey title. His size 5'7" and 160 lbs. and lightning reflexes always made him the people's choice wherever he played and he was very acrobatic. Brodeur turned professional with the Quebec Nordiques in the old WHA in 1972-73 and he helped make them one of the best teams in the league. They had great players besides Richard, like Mark Tardiff, Rejean Houle, J.C. Tremblay, and Larry Hornung. Jacques Plante was General Manager and the “Rocket” was a coach for a short time. In 1975-1976, backed by Richard Brodeur's goaltending, they won 12 out of 17 playoff games and the AVCO Cup, emblematic of the WHA championship.

Then the WHA and the NHL merged and for Brodeur a new exciting chapter began as he led the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals in 1981-82. It was the year of the Vancouver white towel frenzy, a phenomenon that has been copied and carried on by several franchises like Winnipeg and Phoenix since. We asked Richard a few questions about his colorful career!

 

Q: Explain what is was like for a Quebec boy playing in Quebec City, and what was the appeal of the World Hockey Association?

Brodeur: It was a great feeling for a Quebec boy playing in Quebec. Our attendance was the best in the league and the fans were passionate about the game. Quebec fans' expectations are very high and they expect a high level of performance so the pressure was always there to perform above and beyond. The WHA was a very offensive league and I would face over 35 shots a game. It was also the first influx of the European player and they believed you get the puck and you keep it until you scored. The Winnipeg Jets had that great line of Alf Nilsson, Anders Hedberg and Bobby Hull and they came at you from all angles. The World Hockey Association play definitely impacted on the NHL, forcing them to open up the style of play with speed and stick handling to get back to what makes hockey so exciting.

 

Q: You must have been disappointed to see the Nordiques leave Quebec?

I certainly was when you consider the arena was always 96% of capacity. However, they couldn't attract the corporate dollars. Montreal was too close and they had the corporate bucks locked up. I had a Radio Sports Phone-In Show when I was in Quebec. One night our show was about keeping the NHL in Quebec. I asked them how do you raise $45,000,000 a year. The phone lines were jammed with talk but no solutions.

 

Q: What was your greatest thrill in hockey?

There is no doubt it was 1982-83 when the Canucks coached by Roger Neilson made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. I recall Coach Neilson waving a white towel at referee Bob Myers and then Tiger Williams and all the Canuck players grabbed towels and hoisted them on their hockey sticks. Our team was fined $10,000 for ridiculing the game. The next night every Canuck fan that attended the playoff game waived a white towel enthusiastically and we beat Chicago and made it to the Stanley Cup final. We lost to the defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders in four straight games. My wife asked me if I knew what we had accomplished—and produced a video of all the TV interviews and the street mob scenes; we had turned Vancouver upside-down.

Note: The Canucks were feted in a ticker-tape parade and 100,000 people saved their loudest applause for goalie King Richard Brodeur.

 

Q: Who were the toughest forwards you had to face?

There were many and each one possessed unique challenges and talents. Bobby Hull because of his booming slapshot that came from far out. There was Mike Bossy who patrolled an area 30' in front of the net and always floating to an opening. With Trottier feeding him, you never knew where he was going to shoot from, but what a great scorer. Then there was Wayne Gretzky who with his uncanny moves, could also involve his great cast of scorers like Kurri, Anderson and Messier.

 

Q: You lived in Quebec working for Labatts. Why did you return to Vancouver and what do you do?

My family and I found the Quebec winters too long. We find Vancouver a wonderful place to live and this will be our home forever. I have a hockey school. I'm a consultant to a hotel and restaurant chain and do a lot of public speaking throughout the province.

 

Q: Where did you get the nickname King Richard?

In the white towel year we were playing the LA Kings in the playoffs and CKNW Broadcaster Tommy Larscheid said L.A. may be The Kings but the real king in this series is King Richard, our goalie. The next night fans appeared with posters saluting King Richard and many were wearing crowns. Thus, I became King Richard.

 

King Richard is excited about playing for charity and for his old and new fans. King Richard will still charm the fans with his colorful and acrobatic style of play.