Richard Laid To Rest

May 17, 2000 / 5:51 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Some of the most luminous names in hockey gathered today for the funeral of Maurice Richard, a Canadian hero who riveted fans for 18 years with his prodigious talent.

Montreal Canadiens teammates Jean Beliveau, Dickie Moore and Dollard St. Laurent were among the former NHL players at Notre Dame Basilica.

Joining them in the ornate basilica were Gordie Howe, a rival of Richard's in the 1940s and '50s; Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman, who used to coach the Canadiens; Los Angeles Kings forward Luc Robitaille; and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

The political world was represented by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard and his predecessor, Jacques Parizeau.

"Maurice Richard was a hero but he was also a man who had to overcome difficulties," Bouchard said.

A crowd of several hundred gathered outside Notre-Dame Basilica before the service. Hundreds of others also arrived early so they would be able to view the procession leading to the service at the 3,000-seat church.

Among those mourning one of hockey's greatest players was Elmer Lach, who along with The Rocket and Toe Blake formed the potent Punch Line for the Montreal Canadiens.

"My right arm is gone," Lach said. "It's a funny feeling. There used to be three. Now, there's only one. I'm the last one left. I'd rather be doing other things than today."

Beliveau, a former Canadiens captain, thinks The Rocket would have approved of the outpouring of emotion. Beliveau, who found out recently he has a malignant tumor in his neck, spoke of visiting Richard in the hospital.

"It was so sad to see such a strong man in that condition," he said.

Richard died of abdominal cancer Saturday at 78. His death has dominated Quebec newspapers and TV and radio stations for four days. Newspapers from coast to coast played the story on their front page. Today's ceremonies were televised on several networks.

On Tuesday, an estimated 115,000 people filed by Richard's open casket at the Molson Centre to pay tribute to their hero, who was dressed in a dark suit.

People wearing Richard's No. 9 sweater have been a common sight in Montreal since the death. Many of them weren't even alive when Richard won his last Stanley Cup in 1960.

Richard's popularity surpassed any boundaries of age, language or politics.

Federalists and separatists, young and old, men and women Richard won them all over with his determination and will to win.

Richard was not the first Montreal Canadiens player to lie in state on the team's home ice. About 10,000 fans came to the Forum to pay tribute to Howie Mornz in 1937. Morenz played with Montreal during the 1920s and '30s and was a hero to French-Canadians.