Richard riots in Montréal

March 17, 2017

Jersey worn by Maurice Richard. Canadian Museum of History, 2002.81.44, IMG2014-0144-0001-Dm

1955

On March 17, 1955, some 10,000 people rioted in the streets surrounding the Montréal Forum. They were furious about the previous day’s suspension of hockey star Maurice “Rocket” Richard by National Hockey League president Clarence Campbell. Richard had fought with Boston Bruins player Hal Layco, and had also injured a referee. Montréalers, and Quebecers in general, saw the suspension as an insult at the hands of a league dominated by English-speaking businessmen. The result was one of Canada’s worst sports riots, which subsided only after Richard appealed through the media for calm.

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