1954 Maurice Richard vs Clarence Campbell

[Canadiens1958]

This was an ongoing battle that came to a head in early 1954:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c30tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=15gFAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=7204,2218389

 

[Killion]

Very interesting. Wasnt aware he was forced to post a $1000 Good Behaviour Bond, quite the chunk of change in 1954... of course the following March the Richard Riots swept through the Forum & out on to the streets of Montreal. Strange situation. Making an example of the then leagues premier Superstar publicly while privately hard not to believe that all they really did was to further anger Richard & exacerbate problems rather than addressing his concerns as expressed in his newspaper articles and I would assume off the record with league officials, Habs personnel.

 

[Pominville Knows]

Making an example of the then leagues premier Superstar

Seems like you have a funny way of seeing things, no doubt.

-Vivé de la separacion!

 

[Killion]

Seems like you have a funny way of seeing things, no doubt.

-Vivé de la separacion!

Yep. Takes a Renegade to understand one to a certain degree I suppose. I do think Richard was a little, shall we say, "over the top" with his conspiracy theories n' whatnot? And though very slow to boil, when he did blow his stack, were talkin full-on pandemonium, anarchy, bring on the Lions in your face psycho... I appreciate that actually. Good for Maurice.

 

[Pominville Knows]

Yep. Takes a Rogue & Renegade to understand one perhaps.

For sure. Population of Pominville has risen to at least seven now after Jean-Marie has agreed to move the entire family to our new country which will be fought for through a good old fashioned stick swinging. Jason will of course be the undebated current and future MVP of our young nation.

 

[Canadiens1958]

NHL Procedures

Very interesting. Wasnt aware he was forced to post a $1000 Good Behaviour Bond, quite the chunk of change in 1954... of course the following March the Richard Riots swept through the Forum & out on to the streets of Montreal. Strange situation. Making an example of the then leagues premier Superstar publicly while privately hard not to believe that all they really did was to further anger Richard & exacerbate problems rather than addressing his concerns as expressed in his newspaper articles and I would assume off the record with league officials, Habs personnel.

NHL procedures, especially discipline were rather unique. In a separate thread - Geoffrion / Murphy stick swinging, an incident that contributed to the Richard newspaper outburst, there is a link to a Dink Carroll Column detailing various aspects of the hearing.

Interesting is the Canadiens' position expressed by Frank Selke and Dick Irvin Srs that game films should not be considered, rather only the on ice officials written versions should be given weight.

A few points.

HNIC was in its formative years so the viewing public was used to televised NHL games. Making their own interpretations about on ice events, skills, etc was a growing ability. Fans no longer had to rely on the radio or newspaper account. Yet Selke and Irvin were not comfortable with a neutral film recording of events.

A disproportionate number of violent events, featured one of two teams - Montreal or Toronto, often both. Eventually this had to change.

 

[Killion]

HNIC was in its formative years so the viewing public was used to televised NHL games. Making their own interpretations about on ice events, skills, etc was a growing ability. Fans no longer had to rely on the radio or newspaper account. Yet Selke and Irvin were not comfortable with a neutral film recording of events.

Indeed, and excellent points, not something Id considered. Suddenly the viewing public, observers & pundits who werent actually in attendance be it the Gardens, Forum or wherever would be able to see for themselves exactly what went down and be better able to make an informed opinion. And of course with the games caught on tape for review, far less room to be creating "storys" as was the case previously when you really only had eye witness accounts, how the officials called whatever. Lots of room to further ones agenda. Rather like the internet meme': "pictures, or didnt happen" or happen as you described it.