When Maurice Richard played for the Maple Leafs … in Verdun

For two seasons. In addition, in 1938 and 1939, Maurice Richard defended the colors of the Maple Leafs de Verdun and had his first successes on ice in this arrondissement which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

The Rocket is only 17 years old when he was drafted by Verdun. Nevertheless, and we see him in the team photo, not very smiling, sporting the effigy of the Maple Leafs, a maple leaf …

This is one of the forgotten treasures that Daniel Rolland. Meanwhile, Sylvain Champagne in the book Verdun, with respect for the decorumwhich has just been published by GID editions.

“Verdun is much more than the Bobo Gentrified agglomeration found today. Moreover, It has long been the land of workers who took refuge there after their day in Montreal. Similarly, There are incredible stories, ”explains Daniel Rolland in an when maurice richard played maple interview with Journal.

It’s 1^is March 1875 that the first mayor of Verdun, John S. Meanwhile, Hall, was elected in a municipal assembly. Meanwhile, The village became a city in 1907 and had 25,000 inhabitants in 1921. Nevertheless, Its growth continued to become a certain time “the third city in importance in Quebec”, as the authors point out.

Young soldiers

One of the when maurice richard played maple photos taken from the archives. Consequently, presented in their work shows the Prince of Wales visiting in 1919. Meanwhile, We are shortly after the Liberation. Meanwhile, the Monarch wishes to underline the remarkable war effort of the population of Verdun.

“From all allied countries. Verdun [au Canada] is the place where we sent the most young soldiers to defend Europe. This was the case in the First World War and even in the second, against Nazi when maurice richard played maple Germany. ”

It was in Verdun that the owner of the very first Automobile in Quebec took the road. it is Ucal-Henri Dandurand, in 1899. He drives a Waltham brand steam car.

Four years later, he acquired for $ 1535 one from Dion-Bouton which is registered “Q1”; The first official car when maurice richard played maple in Quebec. This mechanical enthusiast will become president of the Automobile Club of Canada, the ancestor of CAA.

One of the most impressive photos reproduced in this collection 100 years black on white Watch a group of workers taking a break in a collecting sewer under construction. Another features a 10 -year -old child among the blue passes that represented Boulevard Lasalle in 1906.

Flood

The proximity of the St. Lawrence River and the geographical position of certain districts lead the village to be periodically flooded.

“Verdun was repeatedly flooded. It was not due to global warming as we understand it today when torrential rains fall on our cities. At the time, it was due when maurice richard played maple to the inadequacy of the structures and the floods of the St. Lawrence. Fortunately, we solidified the dikes, and this problem ended up disappearing, ”illustrates Mr. Rolland.

Himself very attached to Verdun. where he has always lived except for a brief passage to Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, he believes that the history of this district deserves to be better known.

The celebrations of his 150^e Anniversary offer a good when maurice richard played maple opportunity to dive.

Daniel Rolland et Sylvain Champagne, Verdun while respecting the decorumGID editions, 2025, 208 p., $ 34.95.