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Rocket remembered as a giant

MAURICE RICHARD: 1921 — 2000

Rocket Richard was remembered as a larger-than-life figure, a hockey icon whose legend was interwoven in the fabric of Canada.

Politicians and sports figure alike were quick to honour the Montreal Canadiens' hockey star whose popularity spanned generations and cultures.

Premier Lucien Bouchard hailed Richard as a "Quebec here." Prime Minister Jean Chretien said the Rocket was a "symbol to all of what it takes to be a true champion."

And broadcaster Dick Irvin Jr., whose father, Dick Irvin, coached the Rocket, recalled how Richard could raise the roof at the Montreal Forum.

"I have a theory, whenever he scored a goal, the cheer at the Forum was just a decibel higher, than when anybody else scored, no matter the importance," Irvine said.

Former Canadiens sniper Guy Lafleur, a hero to another generation of fans, remembered the Rocket as an inspiration.

"We all wanted to wear (his) No. 9 when we were kids — not just me," said Lafleur. "This man played a role in my career through the pride he displayed each time he wore the sweater of the Montreal Canadiens."

Formers Habs captain Jean Beliveau, who played with Richard for seven seasons, said, "He loved hockey, the Canadians and the fans.

"He was a great leader," added Beliveau, who disclosed last week that he has a malignant tumour in his neck.

"He didn't talk much. He preferred to express himself on the ice. I would tell younger players to watch the fire emanating from his eyes."

Former teammate Dickie Moore said the Rocket knew he had a responsibility to his fans: "He said, 'You know Dickie, I play to satisfy the people. They expect me to score and I give it everything to please them.'"

"He was an icon in Montreal, in Quebec. People just worshipped him, so did we all," Moore told Headline Sports.

"He never ever lost touch with his fans," said Habs president Pierre Boivin.

Ronald Corey, former president of the Canadiens, remembered Richard's drive and the emotions he elicited.

"He was a man of great determination," said Corey. "Just look at his eyes.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house when he received a standing ovation at the closing of the Montreal Forum (in 1996). It was extremely moving; I almost fell to the ground, my knees were trembling so hard."

Irvine also pointed to that night, noting the prolonged ovation for a man "who hadn't played or scored a goal in 36 years."

"I would dare say that 75 to 80 per cent of the people in the building had never seen him play. It was an amazing situation, mind-boggling really. That was the hold that he had and his memory had on hockey fans in Montreal.

Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson said Richard's "integrity, straight-forwardness and openness were respected by all Canadians."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the Rocket "one of the NHL's greatest ambassadors. With his pride, his passion, his drive and his determination, Maurice Richard embodied all the qualities that make hockey great."

"He was one of the best players who ever played in the history of hockey… (and) had a lot of respect in the hockey world," former star Mario Lemieux, owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, told Radio-Canada's all-news channel, RDI.

Don Cherry, speaking on Hockey Night in Canada during the Colorado-Dallas game, said the Rocket was like royalty: "He'd walk into a room and it was like a king walked in. I live in Three Rivers and the people in Quebec, they loved him, they absolutely loved the guy. He was a great guy."

While Richard's death was not unexpected, the news still hit hard.

"I can't comment on this. It's too personal," said a distraught Bert Olmstead, a former teammate.