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Richard cuts ties with the Habs

Broadcast Date: Dec. 2, 1975

Maurice Richard doesn't want to reminisce about the good old days. In fact, he looks upon his days with the Montreal Canadiens quite bitterly. "We were like slaves," he says in this CBC Television documentary referring to the modest salary he earned. Following his retirement, he hoped to carve out a role for himself developing talent in the organization but instead was forced into a low-level public relations role. Now 54, Richard has cut ties with his beloved club. He represents local businesses and operates his own fly-fishing company, spending most of his time in his cabin in the woods.

Richard cuts ties with the Habs

• At the height of his career, Richard earned $25,000 – which would calculate to roughly $176,000 in 2006 dollars. By comparison, the 2005 NHL individual player salary cap was $7.8 million US.
• After his retirement, Richard accepted a low-level public relations job with the Canadiens. He later complained about the boredom and frustration he faced in this role. "I had two things to do in my office,' I opened the blinds at 9 and I closed them at 5," he wrote in his regular column with the newspaper Dimanche Matin.

• Richard was so disenchanted with the Canadiens that he refused to drink Molson's beer – made by the parent company of the club. He also made appearances for rival breweries Dow, O'Keefe and Labatt.
• In 1967, Richard founded General Fishing Lines, an import and distribution company for fishing ties.

• In 1972, Richard accepted a job coaching the Quebec Nordiques. But after only two games, Richard found the pressures of coaching extremely demanding. He requested a one-week leave of absence and then formally resigned on October 20, 1972.
• During the 1970s, Richard also became the pitchman for Grecian Hair Formula, a hair dye especially for men.

• In July 1980, Richard was wooed by the Canadiens to again make public appearances on behalf of the Habs. Richard agreed to act as a goodwill ambassador for the club.

Richard cuts ties with the Habs

Medium: Television

Program: The Fifth Estate

Broadcast Date: Dec. 2, 1975

Guest(s): Clarence Campbell, Hugh Hood, Jacques Larue Langlois, Maurice Richard

Reporter: Peter Riley

Duration: 4:01

Last updated:
Oct. 4, 2007