It’s been a quarter of a century since the Forum saw the Canadian move his 24 Stanley Cup banners and stop vibrating to the rhythm of the biggest sporting and musical events. This closure on the evening of March 11, 1996 also sounded the death knell for the heyday of the Habs who were never able to add a 25e banner in the heights of the Bell Center.
Before becoming an amusement center located on Sainte-Catherine, the famous amphitheater, home of the Glorious from 1924 to 1996, saw the greatest players of the NHL parade. Those who went on to become immortal stars in the history of national sport. The Forum has also hosted major international matches, including the Century Series and the Canada Cup, in addition to being the scene of major boxing matches. Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci also made history there during the 1976 Olympic Games. Beyond sport, important figures from politics and society marched there, like the greatest artists on the planet. While digging through our archives, here is a selection of photos reminiscent of a part of this famous historical Montreal haunt.
The Maurice Richard riot
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On March 17, 1955, supporters of the Canadian demonstrated by the thousands the injustice faced by Maurice Richard, suspended for the season and the playoffs after hitting an official in a scuffle in Boston on March 13. Unloved, Clarence Campbell is at the Forum. He is targeted by the partisans and a bomb explodes on the ice and forces the evacuation. The riot then degenerates in the city.
Perfection signed by Nadia
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Nadia Comaneci made Olympic history at the Forum in July 1976. Aged 14, she became the first gymnast to achieve a perfect Olympic score of 10.0 in a stunning performance on uneven bars. She recorded 7 perfect scores, winning 3 gold medals in a harvest of 5 medals.
Guy … Guy … Guy for one last time
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The Blond Demon gave his first skates on the ice of the Forum in the uniform of the Canadian in September 1971. Twenty years later, he bade farewell to the Montreal public in the colors of the fleurdelisé, on the evening of March 30, 1991 .
Donato vs. Leclair
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On September 9, 1974, the valiant local boxing hope, Jean-Claude Leclair, faced Donato Paduano. Amoché, Leclair is no match for the fight ends at 7e round.
Matthew Hilton world champion
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On June 27, 1987, the Quebec boxer defeated American Buster Drayton in a 15-round war to conquer the IBF super welterweight title. At 21, he became world champion in front of his family.
One, two, three … with the Rougeaus
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Several evenings of professional wrestling involving the Rougeau brothers at the Forum marked the imagination of amateurs, in particular their fight against the Hart Foundation in August 1987.
On December 2, 1995 …
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Among the highlights of the Forum, we can not get around the last match of Patrick Roy in the French uniform on December 2, 1995 against the Red Wings. After a routine stoppage in the sixth minute of play in 2e period, Roy raises his arms to the sky in response to the applause of the crowd. He gave up 9 goals and 72 hours later he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Century series
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On the evening of September 2, 1972, Canada received the Soviets for the 1is of 8 duels of the Century Series. The USSR wins 7 to 3. Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau had made the formal face-off.
Good Friday
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The Battle of Good Friday is engraved in the imagination and history of Quebec on April 20, 1984 during the 6e divisional series game between the Canadian and the Nordiques.
Constellation at the Forum
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The Forum hosted 11 NHL All-Star games. In 1993, Patrick Roy took part in it, as did his ex-teammate passed to the Blackhawks in 1990, Chris Chelios.
One last cut
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June 1993, the CH won the 24e Stanley Cup in its history against the Los Angeles Kings under the gaze of their ghosts! Unfortunately, they did not follow up to the Molson Center.
Legends
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On the evening of the Forum’s closing on March 11, 1996, Yvan Cournoyer and Henri Richard hold the torch which will be passed on to the captain of the time Pierre Turgeon.
Great shows
- Les Beatles (1964)
- Queen (1977 and 1981)
- Les Rolling Stones (1965 – 1966 – 1972)
- ABBA (1979)
- Frank Sinatra (1975 – 1976)
- Celine Dion (1992 – 1993 – 1994)
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