Rocket Richard Bridge? Name suggestion sparks debate

The new bridge that will connect Montreal to the South Shore and replace the aging Champlain Bridge is not even built yet, but it’s already stirring up controversy.

The bridge slated for completion in 2018 could be named after hockey great Maurice (Rocket) Richard, according to some reports.

“In my book, I would have kept [the name] Champlain Bridge for historical reasons. I mean, this is the father of New France,” said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

​The original bridge was named after French explorer Samuel de Champlain.

Montreal newspaper La Presse reported on the weekend that Federal Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel will announce the name of the new bridge on Dec. 9, a nod to the Rocket's jersey number.

According to La Presse, Lebel has the backing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is also a hockey historian.  

Coderre, an avid hockey fan who often tweets about the Montreal Canadiens, said Richard’s family should be consulted.

​“I knew the Rocket in the last year of his life. He’s an icon. He’s an amazing symbol. He’s more than a hockey player — he was an inspiration for all Montrealers, all Quebecers, all French-Canadians … but it’s a bit disappointing because I feel that it will bring some more controversy. The thing that you have to think about that kind of issue is the family,” Coderre said, adding that he will not put up a fight on the issue since the bridge is federal property.

“It’s a prerogative of the federal government. If the federal government decided to change the name of the bridge for the Rocket, I won’t fight over it.”

A statement from Lebel's office said no final decision has been made regarding the name of the new bridge.

Richard was a historic figure on and off the ice

Richard was known for his fiery demeanour on the ice. He played on eight Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Montreal Canadiens.

Richard was named to the Order of Canada, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and was honoured with a state funeral when he died in 2000.

Francis Mailly, a spokesman for the Mouvement national des Québécoises et Québécois, says his organization is firmly against the idea of renaming Canada's busiest bridge after a hockey player.

"Samuel de Champlain is the founder of not only Quebec City but French North America — even America in general. To give this important bridge that name would be not logical," Mailly said.

"Why change the actual name of the bridge? Why remove Champlain from that name?" said Benoît Melançon, author of The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard.

The respect he commanded, the desire to win, and all that. It's a nice example to follow.—Former Montreal Canadien Mathieu Darche

Melançon told CBC's Daybreak that Champlain is an important historical figure.

He said he has yet to see any arguments why the name of the busiest bridge in Canada should be changed.

Melançon said it doesn't appear as if federal officials consulted with historians or with Quebec's toponymy commission on the name change.

Former Hab says Richard symbolic for Quebecers

Former Montreal Canadiens player Mathieu Darche said people can make the case for a lot of different names for the new structure.

But he said the choice of Richard is as good as any.

"The respect he commanded, the desire to win, and all that. It's a nice example to follow," Darche said.

He said Richard's importance extended beyond the ice, into Quebec society.

"For some of the French community, from what we read, the NHL used to be very English dominated, and he stood up for himself."

Maurice Richard Jr. said naming the bridge after his father would be a great honour.

He recognizes the name change is only a rumour, but he knows it will be controversial.

"If we remove the name of Champlain, I agree completely that we should name the new bridge after my father," Richard said.

"As to whether we should remove the name of Champlain, that's beyond my control."

Aside from the debate over the name, Darche had one wish for the new bridge.

"Whatever they name it, we just want a bridge that will hold up."

What would be your choice of name for the new Champlain Bridge?

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