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the Rocket died. Here are some reactions to the death of 'Rocket' Richard:

<img src=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichardImages/NHL-RICHARD-BODY.jpg>

May 27, 2000

"We all wanted to wear (his) No. 9 when we were kids - not just me. This man played a role in my career through the pride he displayed each time he wore the sweater of the Montreal Canadiens." - Guy Lafleur.

"He was one of the best players who ever played in the history of hockey. He was a man who had a lot of respect in the hockey world." - Mario Lemieux.

<img src=http://www.spelten.com/mauricerichard/images/moreth1.gif>

"I have a theory: Whenever he scored a goal, the cheer at the Forum was just a decibel higher than when anybody else scored, no matter the importance." - hockey broadcaster Dick Irvin, Jr., whose father coached Richard.

"He was an icon in Montreal, in Quebec. People just worshipped him, so did we all," - former teammate Dickie Moore.

<img src=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichardImages2/p26.jpg>

He had a solid will to win and was a tireless worker. Skilled and determined, he was in all respects an indispensable teammate but also a formidable opponent." - Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house when he received a standing ovation at the closing of the Montreal Forum (in 1996). It was extremely moving; I almost fell to the ground, my knees were trembling so hard." - Ronald Corey, former president of the Canadiens.

<img src=http://www.chfans.com/histoire/images/Richard%20Maurice/279_2a.jpg>

"With his pride, his passion, his drive and his determination, Maurice Richard embodied all the qualities that make hockey great." - Gary Bettman.

<img src=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyRocketRichardImages2/p36.jpg>

"He'd walk into a room, and it was like a king walked in. I live in Three Rivers and the people in Quebec, they loved him, they absolutely loved the guy." - Don Cherry.

"He defined and transcended the game of hockey. His dazzling combination of skill and drive not only made him one of the greatest hockey players ever, it also made him a symbol to all of what it takes to be a true champion." - Jean Chretien.

<img src=http://www.chfans.com/histoire/images/Richard%20Maurice/Maurice-Richard4.jpg>

"No one under the age of 50 can appreciate what the Rocket meant to hockey, especially in the province of Quebec. The current generation knows Wayne Gretzky was big. He was nothing compared to the Rocket in the years after the Second World War." - Jim Hunt, Toronto Sun

<img src=http://www.chfans.com/histoire/images/Richard%20Maurice/Maurice.jpg>

"As soon as he would touch the puck, you could feel the electricity in the crowd. It was amazing to see how people would react - not only in Montreal, but everywhere he played. There's never been another like him." - Bernie Geoffrion.

"Richard ... was much more than a hockey player. He was the most intense athlete this game, this city, this province, this country ever has seen. He was everything that personified greatness.

Others could skate faster than Richard. Some could shoot harder or pass better. Nobody, however, approached his intensity. Nobody wanted to win more. Not Gordie Howe, not Gretzky, not Mario Lemieux. Not anybody before his time, or since." - Red Fisher.

<img src=http://www.spelten.com/mauricerichard/images/a_richard.jpg>

Written in the condolence book at the Molson Centre:

"When I was a small girl in Halifax, I was a fan of yours, I sent you a letter and asked for your autograph. My father said you would be too busy to send it. But you did." - Jane Nicholson.

This was posted on theflr.com by Gandalf

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Amazing tribute to a great man. Montreal will never be the same without you. And while ur up there in heaven tell some of those "old form ghosts" to wake up and figure out they have to move to the bell center now.

ROCKET THE GREATEST #9 EVER! :monkey::hlogo:

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thanks for that tribute Spiderman, he is truly one of the greatest players this game has ever seen.

I love the quote about his intensity. He wasn't the most skilled player on the ice, but he just flat out wanted it more than anyone else.

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That's very cool they honored him before he died. Too often people wait the guy to die before honoring him.

The Rocket surely had a very big impact on the sport, with his intensity and dedication he put hockey on an higher level.

:clap::hlogo:

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