Hockey: A People's History

Season 1, Episode 5: A National Obsession (1945-1960)

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Television meets hockey and a Saturday night tradition is born. In Quebec, everyone's watching Maurice Richard. In addition, to scoring goals, he is a fearsome player who fights as hard as he plays. When he is suspended by NHL President Clarence Campbell for hitting a referee, riots break out in Montreal. English Canadian fans are watching the exploits of a tough-as-nails kid from Saskatchewan, Gordie Howe. Playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Howe almost dies in 1951 following an on-ice collision with Teeter Kennedy. He recovers and goes on to enjoy the longest career in professional hockey.

All Episodes - Season 1

A Simple Game (1875-1905)
Episode 1
A Simple Game (1875-1905)
 The Money Game (1905-1915)
Episode 2
The Money Game (1905-1915)
 Empires on Ice (1915-1929)
Episode 3
Empires on Ice (1915-1929)
 The People's Game (1930-1945)
Episode 4
The People's Game (1930-1945)
 A National Obsession (1945-1960)
Episode 5
A National Obsession (1945-1960)
 The Golden Age (1960-1972)
Episode 6
The Golden Age (1960-1972)
 The Soul of a Nation (1972-1980)
Episode 7
The Soul of a Nation (1972-1980)
 Hope and Betrayal (1980-1988)
Episode 8
Hope and Betrayal (1980-1988)
 Winter of Discontent (1990-1998)
Episode 9
Winter of Discontent (1990-1998)
 Reclaiming the Game (1998-2002)
Episode 10
Reclaiming the Game (1998-2002)
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