The hockey world in mourning. The reactions were quick to fuse after the news of Guy Lafleur’s death was confirmed.
Posted at 10:25 a.m.
In a lengthy statement, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Guy Lafleur.
Because of his “distinctive style” coupled with his “remarkable talent”, “you didn’t need to see Guy Lafleur’s name and number on his jersey when ‘Flower’ had the puck on his stick”, a- he writes.
Lafleur, notes Mr. Bettman, joined the Canadiens in the early 1970s with the “heavy task” of following in the footsteps of Maurice Richard and Jean Béliveau. He answered the call with flying colors, becoming the leading scorer and “one of the most beloved players in franchise history.”
“The torch was passed to him and he held it high,” adds the big boss of the circuit.
The QMJHL, of which Lafleur remains one of the greatest ambassadors 50 years after his time with the Quebec Remparts, also praised the Blond Demon, who “terrorized his opponents on the ice, but knew how to charm fans outside this one, as much by her smile as by her great generosity”.
“To say that Guy Lafleur was a notable player for the QMJHL is not enough to assess the real impact he had on the circuit when he wore the colors of the Quebec Remparts, between 1969-1971”, we add in a press release.
In 2019, on the occasion of the 50and anniversary of the circuit, the QMJHL had named Lafleur its best player of all time. He remains the only player to have scored 100 or more goals two seasons in a row.
Lafleur amassed no less than 379 points, including 233 goals, in 118 games with the Remparts, from 1969 to 1971. He added 86 points, including 47 goals, in 29 playoff games. In his second and final junior season, he lifted the Memorial Cup. He still holds the league record with 38 hat tricks, and a trophy bearing his name has been awarded since 1978 as the best player in the playoffs.
On Twitter, the commissioner of the LHJMQ, Gilles Courteau, was saddened by the loss of “the one who was at the origin of this league in 1969”.
“Rest in peace, Guy. We love you, ”added the Remparts organization.
“Guy Lafleur never knew how to say no, even in death. Rest in peace my friend. See you soon, ”added Claude Quenneville, who was a descriptor of Canadian games on Radio-Canada radio and television for years. The NHL Alumni Association said it was “heartbroken” by Lafleur’s departure following a “courageous battle” with cancer.
“He was one of my heroes growing up. I always pretended to be him when I played street hockey. A true legend of game “said ex-goalkeeper Martin Brodeur on Twitter. The publication is topped with an undated photo in which we see Brodeur, as a child, with his idol.