Fact Sheet

"Rocket" Richard: The Legend – The Legacy

About the exhibition

"Rocket" Richard: The Legend – The Legacy features over 100 artifacts that highlight the life and times of one of Canada's greatest sports heroes. More than half of the items on display are drawn from the Maurice Richard Collection, once owned by "The Rocket" and now housed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. These objects are considered by many to be among the most valuable articles of hockey memorabilia in the world.

Located in the Museum's Gallery A, the exhibition covers approximately 270 square metres or 2,900 square feet. Divided into six zones, the exhibition covers Richard's career from its earliest days to the accolades he received at the height of his career, and to his enduring reputation as a true Canadian idol. The exhibition also examines the social impact of the 1955 Richard Riot, said by many to be the first manifestation of Quebec's Quiet Revolution.

Trophy - Photo: Claude and Stephane Juteau

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy
Atop this rocket-shaped trophy sits the puck used to score Maurice Richard's 480th NHL goal in 1957. The skates seen on either side of the trophy are the actual skates The Rocket wore when scoring the record-setting 325th goal in 1952. The trophy was originally created to be presented annually to the greatest competitor in junior hockey, but it was never actually awarded.
Photo: Claude and Stephane Juteau
2002.81.36 a-b

Storyline

Zone 1 – Only a Hockey Player?

Through video, photographs and newspaper clippings, this introductory zone makes visitors aware of the legendary status of Maurice Richard and how he was admired by generations of Canadians as a hockey player and as an icon.

Zone 2 – Fire on Ice

This zone highlights Maurice Richard's prowess as an athlete, outlining his achievements and his career statistics. It shows how Richard was the most exciting hockey player of his time and the highest scorer the game had ever seen. This section includes the puck wall, a timeline of Richard's goal-scoring career, as well as the Rocket's Number 9 All-Star sweater worn in 1949, trophies, numerous hockey sticks and pucks used by Richard to score landmark goals, scrapbooks, press clippings, photographs and video footage.

Zone 3 – The Rocket in Orbit

This section demonstrates how Richard's presence extended beyond the sports world into everyday life. Richard's name and picture appeared in both sports and non-sports media, and his image helped sell products from skates to sliced bread. By the end of his career, he had become an international ambassador for hockey and for Canada. Important artifacts in this zone include a Montreal Canadiens calendar for the1949-1950 season, the Hart Trophy tray presented to Richard in 1947, and magazine covers featuring Richard. Also included are popular culture items such as official Maurice Richard skates and hockey sweaters, a Maurice Richard lamp, games, toys, "Rocket 9" soup cans, and a Rocket bread wrapper.

Zone 4 – One of Us

This zone shows how the Rocket was the great hero of his time to all of French Canada: the best hockey player in the world, and one of their own! Richard's supremacy was a source of particular pride to Quebeckers, a beacon lighting their journey towards a more promising future during the two decades before the Quiet Revolution. He may even have helped propel them towards it. Artifacts include media coverage during and after the riot, his hockey contracts, songs that were written about him, and scrapbooks, photos and images showing the personal side of Richard.

Zone 5 – Maurice Richard Forever

When The Rocket retired in 1960, he did not fade into the obscurity that usually follows a professional athlete's active career. Over the next 40 years, he remained in the public eye as a hockey celebrity and businessman. By the end of his life, memories of his fierce younger persona had fallen away. What remained was a cherished shining elder of mythic standing, the grand – some would say grandest – old man of hockey, forever Number 9, Maurice "The Rocket" Richard.

Through photographs, newspaper clippings, hockey honours and some popular culture items such as product endorsements, this section shows the time span of 40 years between Maurice Richard's retirement and his death. Some interesting artifacts in this section include Maurice Richard's blazer with its Canadiens emblem, a Kellogg's Cornflakes box featuring The Rocket's picture and replica autograph, the Hockey Hall of Fame ring belonging to Maurice Richard and a seat from the old Montreal Forum with Maurice Richard's signature on it.

Zone 6 – Number 9

In the end, all the goals, the cups, the battles on and off the ice, the pride, and the love associated with Maurice "The Rocket" Richard are summed up in the number 9 on a red, blue, and white hockey sweater. Forever part of our national iconography, it tells a story of Canada. This section showcases the last Number 9 sweater worn by Maurice Richard and a cartoon of a hockey player with Number 9 on his back as he skates through the pearly gates.

"Rocket" Richard: The Legend – The Legacy is produced in partnership with Canada Post, and is presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from April 9, 2004 to February 20, 2005.

"Maurice Richard" lamp, 1950s
Photo: Harry Foster, Canadian Museum of Civilization

Artifact Highlights

The last Number 9 hockey sweater worn by Richard as a playing member of the Montreal Canadiens, as well as numerous sweaters and skates he wore throughout his career
Hockey sticks and pucks used by Richard to score landmark goals
Numerous trophies and awards received by Richard during his career, including a mini replica of the Hart Trophy he was awarded as the NHL's Most Valuable Player in 1946-1947
Richard's Hall of Fame induction ring and 1959 Stanley Cup ring
The original copy of Richard's retirement speech
Tribute songs and personal stories told by team-mates and opponents
Television footage of Richard scoring some of his most famous goals
A timeline of Richard's goal-scoring career
Scrapbooks, press clippings, personal letters and photographs
Popular culture items, including official Maurice Richard skates and hockey sweaters, a Maurice Richard lamp, games, toys, a "Rocket 9" soup can and a Rocket bread wrapper
Art created by important Canadian artists in honour of Maurice Richard and of his achievements
Books about Maurice Richard, including Roch Carrier's famous story, "The Hockey Sweater"

"Maurice Richard 9" bread wrapper, Montréal, 1950s
Photo: Harry Foster, Canadian Museum of Civilization

Music Featured in the Exhibition

78 rpm Records
Saga of Rocket Richard / B. Hill (Bobby Hill and his Canadian Country Boys)
Maurice Richard / Y. Dupuis, J. Laurendeau (Jeanne D'Arc Charlebois/J. Laurendeau et son ensemble)
Le Rocket Richard / Oscar Thiffault (Oscar Thiffault et son orchestre)

Compact Discs "Maurice Richard," Pierre Létourneau, Pierre Létourneau, 1971.
"Rocket (On est tous des Maurice Richard)" Les Boys II, Éric Lapointe, 1999.
"Rocket Richard Reel" L'Harmonica: une passion, Gabriel Labbé, 1999.

Travelling Exhibition

The exhibition will also be adapted for travel, measuring approximately 150 square metres or 1,600 square feet. It will be made available to venues across Canada.
Further information

An exhibition sponsored by Canada Post

About the exhibition | A word from the curator | Career highlights
About the book | Public programming | Communiqué