Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur dies at 70
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“Night after night, game after game, he would electrify all of us with his skating, his control and his shot,” Red Fisher wrote in 2005.
Author of the article:
Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date:
Apr 22, 2022 • 7 minutes ago • 7 minute read • 12 Comments 
Guy Lafleur in action against the Boston Bruins at the Forum in Montreal on Nov. 30, 1983. Photo by RICHARD ARLESS JR /Montreal Gazette Article content
The Canadiens — and hockey fans — have sadly lost another legend.
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Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur, 70, has passed away after a battle with lung cancer, his family announced on Friday.
The Canadiens have won a record 24 Stanley Cups and 59 players make up the team’s Ring of Honour at the Bell Centre, but there are three legends who stand above all the rest: Jean Béliveau, Maurice (Rocket) Richard and Lafleur.
When the late, great Red Fisher wrote a feature series in the Montreal Gazette in 2005 ranking the top 10 players he had watched during his own Hall of Fame career, Béliveau was No. 1, Richard was No. 2 and Lafleur was No. 3.
No three hockey players ever have or ever will have a bigger impact on the Canadiens franchise or the province of Quebec. They made the Canadiens the “Flying Frenchmen” and the best franchise in the NHL.
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“In his time, Lafleur was one of those rare talents who was a man even while he was a boy,” Fisher wrote about Lafleur. “He was an amalgam of everything that was good and great in hockey because of his speed, his thunderclap of a shot and his matinee-idol good looks.
“Night after night, game after game, he would electrify all of us with his skating, his control and his shot,” added Fisher, who died in 2018 at age 91 after covering the Canadiens for 57 years, writing about 17 Stanley Cup championship teams and 15 players who would end up in the Hall of Fame.
“Lafleur was born to wear the CH,” Fisher continued. “What could be better? A poor boy from a pulp-and-paper town (Thurso, Que.) continuing the line of pre-eminent French-Canadian superstars. He was right for the times, bringing as much glory to the sweater as any of the great players before him or since.
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“Most of all, he was uniquely Lafleur. The Flower. Delicate, yet indestructible. Lafleur pulled people out of their seats more often than any player of his time.
Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur waves to the crowd as he steps on to the ice during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Dec. 4, 2009. Photo by ALLEN MCINNIS /The Gazette
“Like Richard before him, when the Canadiens and Lafleur won, Quebec won. When Lafleur scored goals in a way only he could, Quebec scored. When Lafleur and the Canadiens brought home Stanley Cups five times in the spring, all of Quebec hitched a ride on their float as it inched along Ste. Catherine St.”
Like Béliveau and Richard, Lafleur somehow seemed invincible — until reality and cancer hit and they weren’t. Beliveau died in 2014 at age 83 in poor health after battling throat cancer and Richard died at age 78 in 2000 from abdominal cancer.
In October 2020, the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) announced that it was discovered during Lafleur’s follow-up meeting with doctors that his lung cancer had returned. Lafleur had undergone successful quadruple-bypass heart surgery at the CHUM in September 2019 and two months later was back at the hospital to have surgery to remove the upper lobe of one of his lungs and to remove the lymph nodes.
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The CHUM news release after Lafleur’s cancer returned noted that he wanted to continue his battle privately with his family.
Lafleur’s hockey journey began at age 5 on a rink his father built in the family’s backyard in Thurso, located in the Outaouais region of western Quebec.
In his fantastic book, The Game, Hall of Fame Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden wrote about how after school and on weekends Lafleur would play on the backyard rink with his friends, but on weekdays he’d rush home from school at lunch to skate by himself for half an hour or more, working on his skills. In later years, Lafleur would sneak into the local arena through a back door on Saturday and Sunday mornings and skate by himself from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. when the manager arrived.
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Dryden noted that what made Lafleur really special is the fact he never stopped working on his skills by himself and that he would often say: “Hockey’s my life.” An hour before every Canadiens practice at the Forum, Lafleur would go on the ice with a bucket of pucks to be alone.
“When you play as a kid, you have no time to learn or study anything,” Dryden recalls Lafleur telling him when asked to explain the unquestioning direction to his life. “After 15 or 20 years, what else do I know?”
Recalled Dryden in his book: “Once (head coach Scotty Bowman) remarked to me that Guy Lafleur seemed obsessed always to do better; that while he was a good team player, being the foremost player in the league carried with it a larger responsibility, and that for him anything less than a scoring title was not enough.”
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The Canadiens selected Lafleur with the No. 1 overall pick at the 1971 NHL Draft, but it took three full seasons before he really blossomed into The Flower. Lafleur earned a second nickname, Le Démon Blond, after ditching his helmet early in his career and allowing his hair to flow as he sped down the ice. After scoring 29, 28 and 21 goals during his first three seasons with the Canadiens, Lafleur exploded for 53 in the 1974-75 season and added 66 assists. It was the first of his six straight 50-goal seasons, including a career-high 60 in 1977-78. Lafleur won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer for three consecutive seasons starting in 1975-76 and no Canadiens player has won it again since. Lafleur would help the Canadiens win five Stanley Cups between 1973 and 1979 with chants of “Guy! Guy! Guy!” filling the Forum.
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As a junior star with the Quebec Remparts, Lafleur wore No. 4 in honour of Béliveau, posting 130-79-209 totals in 62 games in 1970-71 before joining the Canadiens the next season. Béliveau retired after the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1971 and Lafleur was hoping to wear No. 4 in Montreal.
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January 25, 2005 – Guy Lafleur in on the Canucks Gary Bromley. For Red Fisher’s 10 Greatest Canadien’s series. (March 1979-GAZETTE-FILES-Mac Juster) SPORTS-Chute Request Guy Lafleur swoops in on Canucks goaltender Gary Bromley during March 1979 game at the Forum. jpg
Guy Lafleur against the Bruins on Nov. 30, 1983. Credit: Richard Arless Jr./Montreal Gazette Photo by RICHARD ARLESS JR /MON
January 25, 2005 – (L-R) Ryan Walter, Guy Lafleur, Gilbert delorme and Bobby Smith celebrate Lafleurs tying goal November 19, 1983. For Red Fisher’s 10 Greatest Canadien’s series. 1983-GAZETTE-FILES-John Mahoney) SPORTS-Chute Request Canadiens’ (from left) Ryan Walter, Guy Lafleur, Gilbert delorme and Bobby Smith celebrate a Lafleur goal in 1983. Photo by JOHN MAHONEY /MON
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, 5 SEPTEMBER 2006 – 70’s superstars Peter Dalla Riva (L) poses with Guy Lafleur at the Montreal Canadiens annual pre-season golf tournament in Laval on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. They played for the Alouettes and the Canadiens, respectively. GAZETTE PHOTO BY IAN BARRETT rep: Pat Hickey Sports 19722 Photo by Ian Barrett /Ian Barrett
MONTREAL, QUE.; NOVEMBER 02, 2009 — Former Canadiens Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur speaks at the launch of a film about his life at L’Astral theatre, in Montreal, Monday November 02, 2009. The film, Il Était Une Fois is also available on DVD. Photo by PHIL CARPENTER /The Gazette
Former Canadiens’ star Guy Lafleur signs a young fan’s jersey at the Fourth Annual Golden Age of Sports Celebrity Breakfast, a charitable event featuring many stars from different fields of sport, where Lafleur was the guest of honor. Montreal, April 6, 2008. Photo by Vincenzo D’Alto /Photo by Vincenzo D’Alto
Former Montreal Canadiens greats Guy Lafleur (right) and Jean BÈliveau stand on the Montreal Canadiens Centennial Plaza at the inauguration of the plaza Thursday, December 4, 2008. The event was part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the storied hockey club. On the left is a sculpture of BÈliveay and in the right background is a sculpture of Lafleur. Photo by john kenney /MON MON
Former Montreal Canadiens star Guy Lafleur stands beside a sculpture of himself at the inauguration of the Canadiens Centennial Plaza Thursday, December 4, 2008. The event was part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the storied hockey club. Photo by john kenney /MON MON
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Hockey legend Guy Lafleur greets the Canadiens mascot as he is introduced before his farewell game between the Anciens Canadiens and the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Hockey legend Guy Lafleur during his farewell game between the Anciens Canadiens and the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Referee Kerry Fraser points at hockey legend Guy Lafleur during Lafleur’s farewell game between the Anciens Canadiens and the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Hockey legend Guy Lafleur kisses Quebec singer Ginette Reno before she sings the anthem at Lafleur’s farewell game between the Anciens Canadiens and the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Hockey legend Guy Lafleur poses with several awards after being introduced at his farewell tour featuring the Anciens Canadiens against the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: DECEMBER 5, 2010 — Hockey legend Guy Lafleur (L) collides with Hall of Famer Denis Savard (R) during Lafleur’s farewell game between the Anciens Canadiens and the Hall of Famers at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE: APRIL 17, 2013 — Guy Lafleur, former Montreal Canadiens great, poses with a likeness of himself at Musee Grevin at the Eaton Centre in Montreal Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The Paris-based museum of wax celebrity sculptures had an opening ceremony Wednesday. (John Kenney/THE GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 46490 Photo by John Kenney /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: OCTOBER 1, 2013 — Canadiens fan Mario Fargnoli, left, gets his novelty Stanley Cup trophy signed by Canadiens hockey legend Guy Lafleur during pre-game festivities before the NHL hockey season opening match between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. (Dario Ayala / THE GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 48038 ORG XMIT: POS1310011655128749 ORG XMIT: POS1310011911059036 Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: MAY 27, 2015 — Former Montreal Canadiens great Guy Lafleur (right) poses with Olivier Hinse of the Concordia Stingers who received a Guy Lafleur Award of Excellence in Montreal Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Three other players received awards that are given to players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Quebec Junior Hockey League and the Collegiate Men’s Hockey League who have best combined hockey performances and scholastic achievements. Photo by John Kenney /Montreal Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: OCTOBER 16, 2014 — Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur greets Habs fans Michael Palmer and his son Logan at tailgate outside the Bell Centre prior to the Habs home opener in Montreal Thurssday October 16, 2014. The Palmers are from Toronto. Photo by John Mahoney /The Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: FEBRUARY 26, 2020 — Guy Lafleur talks about his recent health issues while launching his own wine label with partner Gille Chevalier in Montreal Wednesday February 26, 2020. (John Mahoney / MONTREAL GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 64099 – 1438 Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: JULY 5, 2021 — Montreal Canadiens legends Yvan Cournoyer, left, Guy Lafleur and Patrick Roy are introduced prior to Stanley Cup finals game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal Monday July 5, 2021. (John Mahoney / MONTREAL GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 66371 – 8510 Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette
MONTREAL, QUE.: FEBRUARY 26, 2020 — Guy Lafleur, left, launches his own wine label with partner Gille Chevalier in Montreal Wednesday February 26, 2020. (John Mahoney / MONTREAL GAZETTE) ORG XMIT: 64099 – 1243 Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette
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“French-speaking hockey stars who find themselves playing in Quebec have a particular cross to bear,” Béliveau wrote in his book, Jean Béliveau: My Life in Hockey. “The expectations of an entire province often go with them, and the pressure exerts itself in unusual ways.”
Béliveau had worn No. 9 in honour of Richard in junior and senior hockey, but the Rocket was still with the Canadiens when Béliveau joined the team in 1953, so he took No. 4. Béliveau was flattered that Lafleur wanted to wear his number with the Canadiens, but offered him some advice.
“I remember warning Guy that the number four might weigh heavily on his shoulders, intensifying the inevitable comparisons,” Béliveau said in his book. “I counselled him to make a fresh start: ‘Find your own number, and make every boy in Quebec want to wear it.’ Which he very wisely did.”
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Lafleur’s No. 10 hangs from the rafters of the Bell Centre, along with Béliveau’s No. 4, Richard’s No. 9 and the 12 other retired Canadiens numbers.
Lafleur’s career with the Canadiens came to an end on the afternoon of Nov. 26, 1984, when he officially announced his retirement after Fisher got the scoop and reported the news in that morning’s Montreal Gazette. At age 33, Lafleur had lost a step and new coach Jacques Lemaire, who preferred a defensive style of game, had diminished his ice time. A frustrated Lafleur had only two goals in 19 games at the time and had lost his spot on the first power-play unit. During his last game with the Canadiens against the Detroit Red Wings, Lafleur played on a line with defensive specialists Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey. The Canadiens won 6-4.
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With blazing speed and his golden mane flying, Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, in action against the Colorado Rockies during the 1970s, was exciting on the ice and outgoing off it. Photo by George Cree /Montreal Gazette
“I went to the Forum on Saturday afternoon to prepare for the game that night against the Detroit Red Wings,” Lafleur said during his retirement news conference. “I sat down in the locker room and wondered what I was doing there. It was the first time in my 14-year career that I had a reaction like that. I realized then that it was time to retire.
“There’s no way I’m going to decide to make a comeback with another team in a year or two,” he added. “My decision is final and irrevocable.”
After being retired for three seasons, Lafleur returned to the NHL with the New York Rangers. In his first game back at the Forum on Feb. 4, 1989, Lafleur scored two goals and added one assist in a 7-5 loss to the Canadiens.
Chants of “Guy! Guy! Guy!” returned to the Forum.
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“That was the first time I ever allowed a goal at the Forum and the guy who scored it received a standing ovation,” Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy said after the game.
At age 37, Lafleur would finish that season with the Rangers with 18-27-45 totals in 67 games.
Lafleur would go on to play two more seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, scoring 24 goals, before hanging up his skates for good with 560 goals, 793 assists and 1,353 points in 1,126 career NHL games.
In his book, Serge Savard Forever Canadien, the Hall of Fame defenceman says Lafleur embodied a bold, confident Quebec.
“You only had to close your eyes to picture him, his blond locks flowing, breezing toward the opposition net and scoring a spectacular goal,” Savard says in the book.
“Guy was more than a superstar. He was an icon.”
Guy! Guy! Guy!
RIP.
scowan@postmedia.com
twitter.com/StuCowan1
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