The Rocket

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

I am probably behind the curve, but last night I saw the film, "The Rocket" for the first time. It was great. Loved the old scenes of Montreal.
My memories of the Rocket were that he was a great player and ferrocious competitor. I knew he had a falling out with the organization and was a difficult person to deal with. Again my memories are somewhat anecdotal from the limited understanding of a young kid and teen.
I was unaware of the social, political and linguistic aspects of the movie. I knew that I intensly disliked Campbell and I now dislike Bettman.
My question is: How true to life was the portrayal of the events?

[habernac]

From what I've read, it was pretty accurate. I enjoyed it very much. Took my Dad to see it in the theatre.

[Bones]

IMO the greatest little hockey vignette ever made!
Can you imagine the horror?

[CentreHice]

Concerning the suspension for the rest of the season and the playoffs of 54-55, I don't recall the movie touching on this point...but I find it very interesting...and also "plus ca change"....considering the game was in Boston.

From the book, "Maurice Richard: Reluctant Hero", by Chrys Goyens and Frank Orr. 2000. Page 83.

The Rocket was held back several times by linesman Cliff Thompson, but each time, either solely or with the help of a teammate, he managed to get free. For one final time, Thompson grabbed Richard and held him down on the ice. This time when the Rocket got free, he turned around and punched Thompson in the face. Twice.

What is rarely reported is that Thompson, a Winchester, Mass., native in his rookie year as a linesman, was himself a former Bruins' defenceman. He had played for the Boston Olympics in the Eastern Hockey League and when the team moved into the Quebec Senior League, for more than a decade, and he had played a dozen games with the NHL Bruins on both sides of military service in the Second World War.

.....Was Thompson more predisposed to gravitate toward a visiting player when a Bruin was threatened? That question would never be asked in the official inquiry conducted by Clarence Campbell, league president. Whether it matters, or not, Thompson would be gone after that season, never to officiate again in the NHL.

I'd have written that question differently. Considering his Boston ties, was Thompson more predisposed to gravitate toward Maurice Richard, period? And the fact that he never officiated again after that season would point to Campbell indeed weighing that factor....but keeping it separate. Unless Thompson retired of his own volition...but as a rookie linesman, I doubt that.

NHL ref, Red Storey, is also quoted in this book....

"No player in history was held or hooked or high-sticked the way he was. He'd take it for as long as he could, but then watch out!"