Richard Riot
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Maurice_richard_profile.jpg/250px-Maurice_richard_profile.jpg)
TheRichard Riotwas arioton March 17, 1955 (Saint Patrick's Day), inMontreal,Quebec,Canada. The riot was named afterMaurice Richard,the starice hockeyplayer for theMontreal Canadiensof theNational Hockey League(NHL). Following a violent altercation on March 13 in which Richard hit alinesman,NHL presidentClarence Campbellsuspended him for the remainder of the1954–55 NHL season,including the playoffs. Montreal fans protested that the suspension was too severe; the team's largelyFrancophonefan base claimed the length of the suspension was motivated by Richard'sFrench Canadianethnicity. Outside of Montreal, however, the suspension was seen as justified and, if anything, too short.
On March 17, Campbell appeared at theMontreal Forumfor the Canadiens' first game after Richard's suspension. His presence provoked a riot at the Forum that spilled into the streets. The riot caused an estimated $100,000 in property damage, thirty-seven injuries, and 100 arrests. Tensions eased after Richard made a personal plea accepting his punishment and promising to return the following year to help the team win theStanley Cup.The incident likely cost Richard the 1954–55scoring title(a feat Richard never achieved in his NHL career), played a role in the off-season departure of longtime Canadiens head coachDick Irvin,and was a precursor to theQuiet Revolution.
Background
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/86/RichardDictator.png/350px-RichardDictator.png)
Maurice Richardwas the star player for theMontreal Canadiens,[1]and it was common for opponents to provoke him during games. Teams reportedly sent players onto the ice to purposefully annoy him by yellingethnic slurs,[2]hooking,slashing,andholdinghim as much as possible.[3]Throughout his career, Richard was fined and suspended several times for retaliatory assaults on players and officials,[4][5]including a $250 fine for slapping a linesman in the face less than three months before the March 13, 1955 incident.[6][7]Richard was considered the embodiment of French-Canadians and was a hero during a time when many perceived themselves as second-class citizens.[8][9]He was revered when he fought the "damn English" during games.[10]In his book,The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard,Benoît Melançon compares Richard toMajor League Baseball'sJackie Robinsonby stating that both players represented the possibility for their minority groups to succeed in North America.[11]
During the 1950s, Quebec's industries and natural resources were controlled primarily by English Canadians or Americans.[12]French-speaking Quebecerswere the lowest-paid ethnic group in Quebec, which resulted in a sense that control rested with theAnglophoneminority.[13][14]Because of this and other factors, there had been growing discontent in the years before the riot. In early 1954, Richard's teammate,Bernie Geoffrion,was suspended in a move seen as anti-Francophone.[15]Following the suspension, Richard, who had a weekly column in theSamedi-Dimanchenewspaper, called President Campbell a "dictator" in print. The League in turn forced Richard to retract his statement and discontinue his column. In his 1976 biography of Richard, Jean-Marie Pellerin wrote that his humiliation was shared by all Francophone Quebecers, who were sent running once more by the "English boot".[16]This was reflected in a Montreal newspaper's editorial cartoon (pictured), which portrayed Richard as an unruly schoolboy made to write lines by Campbell, shown as the teacher; the cartoon had a deeper meaning as an example of the societal hierarchy that existed between English and French Canadians.[17]
Incident
[edit]On March 13, 1955, an on-ice episode sparked one of the worst incidents of hockey-related violence in history.[18]On that date inBoston,Richard was part of a violent confrontation in a game between the Canadiens and theirrivalBoston Bruins.The Bruins'Hal Laycoe,who had previously played defence for the Canadiens,high-stickedRichard in the head during a Montrealpower play.[19]Richard required five stitches to close a cut that resulted from the high-stick.[20]RefereeFrank Udvarisignaled a delayedpenalty,but allowed play to continue because the Canadiens had possession of the puck.[21]When the play ended, Richard skated up to Laycoe, who had dropped his stick and gloves in anticipation of afight,and struck him in the face and shoulders with his stick. The linesmen attempted to restrain Richard, who repeatedly broke away from them to continue his attack on Laycoe, eventually breaking a stick over his opponent's body before linesmanCliff Thompsoncorralled him.[21]Richard broke loose again and punched Thompson twice in the face, knocking him unconscious.[20][22]Richard then left the ice with the Canadiens' trainer. According toMontreal Heraldwriter Vince Lunny, Richard's face resembled a "smashed tomato."[23]Richard was given a match penalty and an automatic $100 fine,[21]and Laycoe a five-minutemajor penaltyplus a ten-minute misconduct for the high stick.[20][24]
Boston policeattempted to arrest Richard in the dressing room after the game ended, but were turned back by Canadiens players who barred the door, preventing any arrest. Bruins management finally persuaded the officers to leave with a promise that the NHL would handle the issue. Richard was never arrested for the incident.[25]He was instead sent to the hospital by team doctors after complaining of headaches and stomach pains.[26]
The Laycoe incident was Richard's second altercation with an official that season,[6][20]after having slapped a linesman in the face inTorontothe previous December, for which he was fined $250.[20]Upon hearing the referee's report, league presidentClarence Campbellordered all parties to appear at a March 16 hearing at his office in Montreal.[27]
Hearing
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Clarence_Campbell_Stanley_Cup_1957.jpg/250px-Clarence_Campbell_Stanley_Cup_1957.jpg)
The game's on-ice officials, Richard, Laycoe, Montreal assistantgeneral managerKen Reardon,Boston general managerLynn Patrick,Montreal coachDick Irvin,and NHL referee-in-chiefCarl Vossattended the March 16 hearing. In his defence, Richard contended that he was dazed and thought Thompson was one of Boston's players. He did not deny punching or attacking Laycoe.[7]
After the hearing, Campbell issued a 1200-word statement to the press:
…I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the attack on Laycoe was not only deliberate but persisted in the face of all authority and that the referee acted with proper judgment in awarding a match penalty. I am also satisfied that Richard did not strike linesman Thompson as a result of a mistake or accident as suggested… Assistance can also be obtained from an incident that occurred less than three months ago in which the pattern of conduct of Richard was almost identical, including his constant resort to the recovery of his stick to pursue his opponent, as well as flouting the authority of and striking officials. On the previous occasion he was fortunate that teammates and officials were more effective in preventing him from doing injury to anyone and the penalty was more lenient in consequence. At the time he was warned there must be no further incident… The time for probation or leniency is past. Whether this type of conduct is the product of temperamental instability or willful defiance of the authority in the games does not matter. It is a type of conduct which cannot be tolerated by any player—star or otherwise. Richard will be suspended from all games both league and playoff for the balance of the current season.[28]
The suspension was the longest that Campbell issued during his thirty-one year tenure as league president. As there was nounionat the time, Richard had no recourse to appeal. In Quebec, the punishment was widely considered to be unjust and unduly severe. Within minutes of the judgment's dispensation, the NHL head office (then in Montreal) was deluged with hundreds of calls from enraged fans, many of whom made death threats against Campbell.[7][29]
However, the general feeling around the league was that the punishment could have been more severe.Detroit Red Wingsgeneral managerJack Adamssaid that Campbell "could do no less" and "I thought he would be suspended until January 1 of next season." Red Wings forwardTed Lindsay,whom the league had disciplined earlier the same season for an incident in Toronto in which he attacked aMaple Leafsfan who had been threatening teammateGordie Howe,expressed the stronger opinion that Richard was lucky not to get a life suspension: "Inbaseball,footballor almost anything else that much would be almost automatic. I say they should have suspended him for life. "Bruins presidentWalter A. Brownagreed with Adams, saying "That's the least they could do"; Bruins playerFleming Mackellsaid, "If they had thrown the book at Richard in1947when he cutBill EzinickiandVic Lynn,it might have stopped him and made him an even greater hockey player because of it. "[30]Interest was high in the hockey world; theDetroit Free Pressreported its switchboard was swamped with calls.[31]
Riot
[edit]Public outrage from Montreal poured in about what residents felt was excessive punishment.[32]ManyQuébécoisregarded the suspension as the English majority further attempting to subjugate the French minority and an attempt to humiliate French Canadians by "excessively punishing their favorite player".[32][33]Campbell, who received death threats, stated that he would not back down and announced his intention to attend the Canadiens' next home game against the Red Wings on March 17,[33]despite advice that he not do so.[32]Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in theMontreal Forumlobby two hours before the game. Attempts to "crash the gate" by these fans without tickets were denied by police. They then began to gather atCabot Squareacross from the Forum.[34]The crowd of demonstrators grew to 6,000.[35]Some carried signs that denounced Campbell, and others had signs reading, among other things, "Vive Richard" (Long live Richard), "No Richard, no Cup", and "Our national sport destroyed".[34][35]The crowd, originally described as "jovial", turned "surly" after police intervened at the ticket gate.[36]After the mood turned foul, some members of the crowd began smashing windows and throwing ice chunks at passing streetcars.[36]
The game against Detroit was a battle for first place, but the suspension unsettled the Canadiens.[33]GoaltenderJacques Plantelater recalled that the game seemed secondary, and players and officials were "casting worried glances at the sullen crowd".[32]Likewise, Dick Irvin said later, "The people didn't care if we got licked 100–1 that night."[37]
Midway through the first period, with Montreal already down 2–0,[38]Campbell arrived with three secretaries from his office (one of whom he would later marry).[39][40]The 15,000 spectators immediately started booing Campbell. Some fans began pelting him and his group with eggs, vegetables, and various debris for six straight minutes. At the end of the first period, Detroit had taken a 4–1 lead, and the barrage began again. Despite police and ushers' attempts to keep fans away from Campbell, one fan, pretending to be a friend of Campbell's, managed to elude security. As he approached, the fan extended his hand as if to shake Campbell's. When Campbell reached out to shake his hand, the fan slapped him.[41]As Campbell reeled from the attack, the fan reached back and delivered a punch. Police dragged the attacker away while he attempted to kick the NHL president.[38]Shortly after the fan attack, atear gasbomb was set off inside the Forum, not far from Campbell's seat.[39][42]MontrealFire ChiefArmand Pare mandated that the game be suspended for "the protection of the fans", and the Forum was evacuated.[38][41][43]Following the evacuation, Campbell took refuge in the Forum clinic, where he met with Canadiens general managerFrank Selke.The two wrote a note to Adams declaring the Red Wings the winner of the game due to the Forum's ordered closure.[39]
The departing crowd joined the demonstrators, and ariotensued outside the Forum.[34]Rioters were heard chanting "À bas Campbell" (Down with Campbell) and "Vive Richard" while they smashed windows, attacked bystanders, ignited newsstands, and overturned cars.[36][38][44]More than fifty stores within a fifteen-block radius of the Forum were looted and vandalized.[36][45]Twelve police officers and twenty-five civilians were injured.[46][47]The riot continued well into the night, eventually ending at three A.M., and it left Montreal'sSaint Catherine Streetin shambles.[42][48]Police estimated between forty-one and 100 individuals were arrested.[49][50][51]Damage was estimated to be $100,000 ($1,114,184 in 2023 dollars[52]) to the neighborhood and the Forum itself.[43]One jewelry store alone estimated its losses at $7,000 ($77,993 in 2023 dollars[52]).[44]
Adams blamed Montreal officials after the game: "If they hadn't pampered Maurice Richard, built him up as a hero until he felt he was bigger than hockey itself, this wouldn't have happened."[53]
The incident was national news in Canada. Reporters lined up to see both Campbell and Richard on March 18. Richard was reluctant to make a statement, fearing it could start another riot, but he eventually gave the following statement, both in French and English, over television to a national audience:[54]
Because I always try so hard to win and had my troubles in Boston, I was suspended. At playoff time it hurts not be in the game with the boys. However, I want to do what is good for the people of Montreal and the team. So that no further harm will be done, I would like to ask everyone to get behind the team and to help the boys win from theNew York Rangersand Detroit. I will take my punishment and come back next year to help the club and the younger players to win the Cup.[55]
Campbell was unapologetic. He said that he considered it his duty as president to attend the game. Montreal mayorJean Drapeauwas livid at Campbell for attending, and he laid the blame for the riot on Campbell. A Montreal city councilor wanted Campbell arrested for inciting the riot.[56]Years later, Canadiens playerJean Béliveaustated that, although he disagreed with Campbell's decision to attend the game, as well as feeling Campbell might have been using his appearance to make a statement, he concluded that Campbell may have felt that if he did not attend he could appear to be hiding. He also noted that Campbell's absence might not have made much of a difference.[57]
Aftermath
[edit]The suspension came when Richard was leading the NHL in scoring and the Canadiens were battling Detroit for first place. Richard's suspension also cost him the 1954–55scoring title,the closest he ever came to winning it. When Richard's teammateBernie Geoffrionsurpassed Richard in scoring by one point on the last day of the regular season, the Canadiens' fans booed him.[58]
The points from the forfeiture provided Detroit with the margin it needed to win first place overall and be guaranteed home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. That season, the Canadiens lost the1955 Stanley Cup Finalsto Detroit in seven games, with the home team winning all seven games of a final for the first time.[58][59]Montreal won the next five consecutive Stanley Cups, a record that still stands. Richard retired in 1960 after the Canadiens' fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.[60]
The episode was a prelude to the off-season departure of coachDick Irvin.Selke felt Irvin had riled Richard, thereby contributing to his "periodic eruptions". Selke offered Irvin a job for life with the Canadiens, as long as it was in a non-coaching capacity. Irvin refused Selke's offer and moved on to coach theChicago Black Hawks,where he had begun his coaching career in1930–31.He was replaced by former Canadiens playerToe Blake.[61]Irvin coached only one more season before succumbing to bone cancer.[62]
Historical interpretation
[edit]The Richard Riot has taken on a significance greater than a mere sports riot in the decades since it happened. The sight of French Quebecers rioting over the perceived slight to a Quebec cultural icon like Richard led many commentators to believe it was a significant factor in Quebec'sQuiet Revolutionof the 1960s.[8][63][64]Furthermore, the cause of the riot has been suggested not to be as a result of the severity of the suspension; what mattered was that the anglophone president of an anglophone league had suspended a Quebec player. French Canadians saw themselves as inherently disadvantaged within Canada and North America as a whole.[65]Richard was seen as a hero by French Canadians, and almost a sort of a "revenge" against the anglophone establishment.[66]The riot was a clear sign of rising ethnic tensions in Quebec.[67]In an article published four days after the riot, journalistAndré Laurendeauwas the first to suggest the riot was a sign of growing nationalism in Quebec. Entitled "On a tué mon frère Richard" (My brother Richard has been killed), Laurendeau suggested the riot "betrayed what lay behind the apparent indifference and long-held passiveness of French Canadians".[66]
On the other hand, Benoît Melançon argues that the riot has become part of the "Rocket Richard myth" and has taken on an importance that, in retrospect, is far greater than it actually had when it happened. He asserts, "Had there been no Riot, it is doubtful there would ever have been a Maurice Richard myth."[68]The riot ended up taking on greater significance as time passed, but not for the reasons many nonacademic commentators believe. Richard was in danger of being forgotten in the years immediately after his retirement, so he promoted himself, and his nascent myth, excessively:
There were Maurice Richard skates and jackets, but there were also Rocket ashtrays, Rocket transistor radios, and Rocket Richard Condensed Tomato Soup. Moreover, these products changed throughout history. "The principal impact of the trade in Richard… has been the transformation of Maurice Richard into a product, then into a label, and ultimately into a myth."[69]
He concludes by suggesting that the riot is now something it was not: "The riot has become the key event in turning Richard from a mere hockey player to a symbol of political resistance (even if Richard himself was publicly apolitical and, according to this book, definitely not for an independent Quebec)… According to this popular narrative, for the first time the people of Quebec stood up for themselves; especially English Canada delights in anachronistically announcing that this was the beginning of the 1960s Quiet Revolution."[70]Perhaps the best way to explain how the interpretation of the riot changed is by looking at the change in the public perceptions of its antagonist: "It was necessary to overlook some of [Richard's] character traits and to rewrite several episodes of his career" in order to elevate him into a mythical figure.[71]
See also
[edit]- Bruins–Canadiens rivalry
- The Rocket(Maurice Richard)(film)
- 1954–55 Montreal Canadiens season
References
[edit]- ^Melançon 2009,p. 95
- ^Falla 2008,p. 16
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 17
- ^Jenish 2008,p. 121
- ^Flatter, Ron."The Rocket lit up hockey".ESPN.RetrievedOctober 29,2010.
- ^abCole 2004,pp. 39–40
- ^abcWheatley, W. B. (March 17, 1955). "Richard Barred for Season, Playoffs: May Sink Canadiens".Ottawa Citizen.Canadian Press. p. 23.
- ^abFarber, Michael (November 29, 1999)."Loud Start To The Quiet Revolution: March 17, 1955: The Riot Over Rocket Richard".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedDecember 28,2010.
- ^Didinger & Macnow 2009,p. 160
- ^Nadeau & Barlow 2006,p. 319
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 80
- ^"Canada: Rise of the Separatists".Time.March 6, 1964. Archived fromthe originalon November 6, 2012.
- ^Gittings 2002,p. 105
- ^Roles 2002,p. 58
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 120
- ^James Deacon (2000)."Richard, Maurice".The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 121
- ^"10 Hockey Violence Lowlights".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.March 9, 2004.RetrievedNovember 14,2010.
- ^"Rocket Goes Wild at Boston, Clouts Laycoe, Linesman".Montreal Gazette.Associated Press. March 14, 1955. p. 22.
- ^abcdeFitzgerald, Tom (March 14, 1955). "Richard Stick Duels Laycoe, Fights With Official".Boston Globe.p. 6.
- ^abcKatz 1998,p. 107
- ^United Press (March 14, 1955). "Richard is Banished as Canadiens Bow".The New York Times.p. 30.
- ^Jenish 2008,p. 144
- ^Goldstein, Richard (May 2, 1998)."Hal Laycoe, 75, NHL Player Whose High Stick Led to Riot".New York Times.p. B8.RetrievedMarch 29,2011.
- ^Jenish 2008,pp. 144–145
- ^United Press (March 16, 1955). "Hockey Hearing to Start Today".New York Times.p. 48.
- ^Katz 1998,p. 110
- ^"Campbell Statement on Richard Censure".Montreal Gazette.March 17, 1955. p. 1.
- ^"Many Threats Follow Word On Favorite".Montreal Gazette.March 17, 1955. p. 19.
- ^"Richard is Lucky Didn't Get Life, says Ted Lindsay".The Globe and Mail.March 17, 1955. p. 31.
- ^Curran, Pat (March 17, 1955). "School Sports Head Praises Campbell".Montreal Gazette.p. 19.
- ^abcdDenault 2009,p. 74
- ^abcBéliveau, Goyens & Turowetz 1994,p. 94
- ^abcMelançon 2009,p. 128
- ^abCanadian Press (March 18, 1980)."Rocket Richard Riot Still Stirs Controversy, Emotion".Windsor Star.p. 37.RetrievedNovember 23,2010.
- ^abcd"Montreal Hockey Fans Riot, Battle Police, Smash Windows, Loot Stores, Attack Official".The Milwaukee Journal.Associated Press. March 18, 1955. p. 21. Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2016.RetrievedNovember 23,2010.
- ^Coleman 1970,p. 253
- ^abcdMorris, Mel (March 18, 1955)."Anti-Campbell Mobs Terrorize City".The Windsor Daily Star.Canadian Press. p. 10.RetrievedNovember 22,2010.
- ^abc"Richard Fans Go Mad".Ottawa Citizen.March 17, 1955. p. 60.RetrievedNovember 22,2010.
- ^"Montreal's Riot over Richard Campbell's Toughest Ordeal".Ottawa Citizen.July 7, 1984.RetrievedNovember 23,2010.
- ^abMacDonald, D. A. L. (March 18, 1955)."Mob rule wrecks Forum, Game".Montreal Gazette.p. 1.RetrievedMarch 17,2018– via Google News Archive.
- ^abJenish 2008,p. 147
- ^ab"Riot ends game".The Globe and Mail.March 18, 1955. pp. 1, 23.
- ^ab"Fear Stalks Downtown".The Windsor Daily Star.March 18, 1955. p. 10.RetrievedNovember 23,2010.
- ^"Montreal Counts Riot Loss".The Milwaukee Sentinel.March 18, 1955. Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2016.RetrievedNovember 22,2010.
- ^Wallechinsky et al. 2005,p. 409
- ^Croll, Bruce (March 18, 1955)."Innocent Injured in Riot".Montreal Gazette.p. 1.RetrievedMarch 17,2018– via Google News Archive.
- ^"The Legendary #9: Maurice 'Rocket' Richard: The 'Richard Riot'".CBCArchives. March 17, 2005.RetrievedNovember 13,2006.
- ^Hunt, Jim (March 18, 1955). "Montreal Cops Amazed No One Killed in Mad Violence After Game".Toronto Star.p. 59.
- ^"All Quiet Riot's Smoke Clears".Ottawa Citizen.March 17, 1955. p. 61.RetrievedNovember 22,2010.
- ^McDonald, D.A.L. (March 18, 1955)."Mob Rule Wrecks Forum, Game".Montreal Gazette.p. 1.RetrievedMarch 17,2015.
- ^ab1688 to 1923:Geloso, Vincent,A Price Index for Canada, 1688 to 1850(December 6, 2016). Afterwards, Canadian inflation numbers based onStatistics Canadatables 18-10-0005-01 (formerly CANSIM 326-0021)"Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted".Statistics Canada.RetrievedApril 17,2021.and table 18-10-0004-13"Consumer Price Index by product group, monthly, percentage change, not seasonally adjusted, Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit".Statistics Canada.RetrievedMay 8,2024.
- ^"They Make Him Think He's Bigger Than Game, Red Wing Boss Says".Toronto Star.Associated Press. March 18, 1955. p. 22.
- ^"Suspended Star Appeals To Fans".Regina Leader-Post.March 19, 1955. p. 22.
- ^"Get Behind Canadiens, Rocket asks".The Globe and Mail.March 19, 1955. p. 1.
- ^Wheatley, W. B. (March 19, 1955). "Full Montreal Detective Force Called for NHL Game Tonight".The Globe and Mail.Canadian Press. p. 1.
- ^Béliveau, Goyens & Turowetz 1994,pp. 94–95
- ^abDenault 2009,p. 76
- ^Robinson, Alan (June 10, 2003). "E-Rupp-Tion—New Jersey Celebrates Third Cup with Big Lift from Little-Used Player".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press. p. C1.
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 12
- ^Jenish 2008,p. 150
- ^Denault 2009,p. 77
- ^"Media — Rocket Richard: The Legend, The Legacy".Civilization.ca. Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2008.RetrievedDecember 15,2010.
- ^Falla 2008,p. 15
- ^Rawlinson & Granatstein 1997,p. 336
- ^abLaurendeau, André(March 21, 1955). "On a tué mon frère Richard".Le Devoir(in French). p. 4.
- ^Perrone, Julie (2007)."Maurice Richard, 1ère partie: le hockeyeur"(in French). Encyclopédie du patrimoine culturel de l'Amérique française.
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 115
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 58
- ^Two Hockey Solitudes in the Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard (a review of Benoît Melançon.The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard) Reviewed by Jason Blake (University of Ljubljana), Published on H-Canada (August 2009) on H-Net Humanities & Social Sciences Online,http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=24872
- ^Melançon 2009,p. 104
Bibliography
[edit]- Béliveau, Jean; Goyens, Chris; Turowetz, Allen (1994).Jean Beliveau: My Life in Hockey.Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart.ISBN978-1-55365-149-9.
- Cole, Stephen (2004).The Best of Hockey Night in Canada.Toronto: McArthur & Company. pp. 39–40.ISBN1-55278-408-8.
- Coleman, Charles (1970).Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol III.Sherbrooke, PQ: Progressive Publications.ISBN0-8403-2941-5.
- Denault, Todd (2009).Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey.Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart.ISBN978-0-7710-2633-1.
- Didinger, Ray; Macnow, Glen (2009).The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies: Featuring the 100 Greatest Sports Films.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Running Press Book Publishers.ISBN978-0-7624-3548-7.
- Falla, Jack (2008).Open Ice: Reflections and Confessions of a Hockey Lifer.Mississauga, Ontario: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.ISBN978-0-470-15305-5.
- Gittings, Christopher E. (2002).Canadian national cinema: ideology, difference and representation.New York, New York: The Taylor and Francis Group.ISBN0-415-14281-4.
- Jenish, D'Arcy (2008).The Montreal Canadiens: 100 years of glory.Toronto, Ontario: Doubleday Canada.ISBN978-0-385-66324-3.
- Katz, Sidney (1998).Canada on Ice: Fifty years of great hockey.Toronto, Ontario: MacLean Hunter Publishing Ltd.ISBN0-670-88037-X.
- Melançon, Benoît (2009).The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard.Vancouver, British Columbia: Greystone Books.ISBN978-1-55365-336-3.
- Nadeau, Jean-Benoît; Barlow, Julie (2006).The Story of French.New York, New York: St. Martin's Press.ISBN978-0-312-34184-8.
- Rawlinson, H. Graham; Granatstein, J.L. (1997).The Canadian 100.Toronto, Ontario: McArthur & Company.ISBN1-55278-005-8.
- Roles, Julia (2002).Insight Guides Montreal & Quebec City.Maspeth, New York: APA Publications.ISBN981-4120-43-X.
- Wallechinsky, David; Wallace, Amy; Farrow, Jane; Basen, Ira (2005).The Book of Lists, The Canadian Edition: The Original Compendium of Curious Information.Toronto, Ontario: Alfred A. Knopf of Canada.ISBN0-676-97720-0.
External links
[edit]- 1954–55 Montreal Canadiens season
- 1954–55 NHL season
- 1954–55 in Canadian ice hockey
- 1955 riots
- History of the Montreal Canadiens
- Riots and civil disorder in Canada
- Sports riots
- Violence in ice hockey
- Montreal Canadiens games
- Boston Bruins games
- 1950s in Montreal
- 1955 in Quebec
- March 1955 sports events in Canada