Remembering Rocket Richard's visit to Leamington in 1960

By C. Scott Holland

Throughout the years, many hockey stars have visited Leamington, but few have had the impact that Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard did in February 1960.

The NHL Hall of Famer was invited by the Queen Elizabeth Home and School Board to make a visit on Leamington Minor Hockey Night, Feb. 23, 1960. Not only did Richard accept the offer, but he did a stint as a referee.

That night, the former Leamington Recreation and Agricultural Centre was a sell-out for the first time in its history as 2,350 packed the arena. The attendance record prior to that was 1,850 for a South Essex Hockey League contest.

One of the highlights of the evening was Richard presenting 15 year-old Mike Martin (of Edwards’ TV squirt team) with an autographed stick for his performance.

Hockey great Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard takes time out to sign autographs along the boards at the old Leamington Arena during a game in February of 1960.

Mayor Art Cullen greeted the NHL star by presenting him with a book on the history of the NHL and Flora Holton gave him a hand-knitted sweater bearing the Montreal Canadiens’ logo and the number 9. It was created by Linnie Knight of Leamington.

Later, there was a buffet banquet held at Queen Elizabeth School in his honour and 200 fans got the privilege to be at the event. Of all the QE hockey players whose names were entered in a draw, Richard Neufeld was the lucky winner.

A question and answer period followed and Richard said that he felt that (at the time), Frank Mahovlich would surpass his record of 50 goals but only if Mahovlich worked harder. He considered Eddie Shack one of the toughest players in the league and thought that of the original six arenas, Detroit’s Olympia had the best ice conditions.

His advice to young players was to work and play hard every second you are on the ice. In those days, there wasn’t ice year-round but he did state that he thought that young players should skate every chance they could, plus learn to shoot and stickhandle.

As he noted, “Nothing comes easy.”