 They named the club the Nordiques due to the northern location of the team.The Nordiques would name former Montreal Canadiens great Maurice Richard the head coach of the club, and played their first ever game on October 11, 1972, losing 2–0 on the road to the Cleveland Crusaders.After the game, Richard would step down from head coaching duties, as he was not comfortable doing the job, and Maurice Filion would take over.