On May 27, 2000, legendary hockey player Maurice (Rocket) Richard succumbs to cancer at age 78, in Montreal. Fast and fierce on the ice, Richard set extraordinary records and led the Montreal Canadiens to Stanley Cup wins. For a generation of Canadians, Richard becomes a beloved cultural icon as shown in this CBC Television report.

• Joseph-Henri-Maurice Richard was born on Aug. 4, 1921, the eldest of eight children. He grew up in the working-class Bordeaux section of Montreal near Ville Saint-Laurent during the Great Depression.
• Richard signed with the Montreal Senior Canadiens farm team for the 1940-41 season, and in September 1942 he joined the main Montreal Canadiens team.

• Richard enjoyed an illustrious career with the Canadiens, becoming the first NHL player to net 50 goals in 50 games and the first to score more than 500 career goals. He also played on eight Stanley Cup teams.
• On Sept. 17, 1942, Maurice Richard married Lucille Norchet. They would have seven children.

• The day before Richard's funeral, his body lay in state at the Molson Centre. An estimated 115,000 mourners viewed the casket and signed a book of remembrance for Richard.
• Former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard recalled of Richard, "When we see him go today, we recall our youth, our childhood. He was the man of our childhood, for people of my generation. It's a bit of our childhood that disappears."

• For more on the career of Maurice Richard, please visit our topic The Legendary #9: Maurice 'Rocket' Richard.

Medium: Television
Program: The National
Broadcast Date: May 27, 2000
Host: Alison Smith, Reporter: Lynne Robson
Guest(s): Camille Bouvier, Dickie Moore, Maurice Richard, Jr.
Duration: 3:22