Q: How did you become a goaltender?
Richard: Like most goalies, I couldn’t skate so I stood in goal. I was 8 years old when I started and the scores were woeful, like 22-0, 18-0, etc. But I wanted to play and soon loved the action, worked hard on my skating and became an NHL goaltender. Later in skating drills, I used to race the forwards so I became pretty good and a goalie, to be good, must learn to skate well.
Q: Who was your goaltending hero?
I really admired Roger Crozier who played with Detroit and Buffalo. Crozier was acrobatic and spectacular. He could win a game by himself. Like myself, he wasn’t very big so I related to him. In 1967 while playing for Detroit, Crozier was the first player for the losing side to be named “The Stanley Cup’s Outstanding Player” and winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Q: What was your greatest thrill in Hockey?
I had several. When I broke in with Montreal, out of 12 goaltenders, I won the minor pro job. That year the Habs’ regular goalie, Dennis Herron, was hurt. I replaced him and won four games in a row, allowing one goal a game. Then we played the Soviet Red Army in 1979 in the Forum on New Year’s Eve. The night before the game, Coach Ruel told me I would start in goal. Despite being unable to sleep, I played well and won 4-2. I was named a star and it was the first time Montreal ever beat the Russians.
Q: I understand you found retirement difficult?
I found it very difficult. I was a goalie, then all of a sudden you have to start a brand new career and I was past 30. I retired in Quebec City and loved it there, but had to move back to Montreal to find a job. I worked there for awhile, then took a job playing and coaching in France. I was there for four years but the team folded. I moved back to Montreal where I worked as a special education teacher in a Montreal College with over 400 students. I was in charge of discipline but, with the drug problem and lack of parental help, I found it very difficult. Then I became the Manager/Coach of the Montreal Roadrunners Roller Hockey Team but the team and the league have folded. Here I am forty years old and I don’t know what my next job will be! I’ll find something. I know I’ll be all right.
Q: You really get into the games with your stunts and high jinks?
Well, it’s fun and what a wonderful opportunity to see your country. When else would I have a chance to see Alaska, Yellowknife, Kitimat, Campbell River and Fort McMurray. All the games’ charities are so worthwhile.
