Guy Lafleur has spent the last 50 years of his life showing generosity to Montreal Canadiens fans across Quebec and Canada. The spectators gathered at the Bell Center on Sunday evening before the game against the Boston Bruins returned the favor with a generous ovation.
At the end of a simple ceremony, like the man described by his teammates over the past few days, the spectators chanted “Guy! Guy! Guy! and “Go Habs Go!” », sang « Olé! Ole! Ole! and celebrated the life of one of the team’s legends for over nine minutes.
The official announcer Michel Lacroix had to do it three times before the spectators finally let him continue the program with a moment of silence.
Lafleur died at the age of 70 on Friday from lung cancer. During a career of 17 seasons in the NHL, including 14 with the Canadiens, he became the all-time leading scorer and led the team to five Stanley Cup titles.
The native of Thurso, in Outaouais, inspired a generation of Quebecers with his brilliance on the ice and his availability off the ice.
Emotions still alive
More than 48 hours after hearing the news, some of Lafleur’s former teammates were still overcome with emotions.
“Friday was a very, very difficult day,” said Réjean Houle. It came back to me immediately, all the good times we had together. But the more I take a step back, and I spoke with his son Martin, I see that he was very sick at the end. He was tired of suffering and he decided to leave. »
Yvon Lambert also spoke of a shock, while Guy Lapointe said it was like a bad dream.
“It’s hard to imagine that we’re there,” said Lapointe, in remission from throat cancer.
“We love him. He will be greatly missed. He was like a brother, added Lapointe. He was so generous and kind to the audience. He had time for everyone. He was an example for his teammates by his effort in his way of working, of showing up for matches. There were no days off for Guy Lafleur. He was as intense in practices as he was in games. He will be greatly missed. »
“I was blessed to play with a guy like Guy Lafleur,” added Lambert.
A Simple Celebration
Before the long ovation from the public, a photo montage on The essential by Ginette Reno presented on the ice rink, then a video montage on My Way by Frank Sinatra broadcast on the giant screen had served to recount the great moments of Lafleur’s career. Excerpts from Lafleur’s interviews and speeches served as narration during the video editing.
The crowd reacted in particular when Lafleur was spotted scoring his most famous goal, in Game 7 of the 1979 Stanley Cup semi-final against the Bruins.
Outside the Bell Centre, people gathered around the statue of Lafleur. Several bouquets of flowers have been dropped off over the past few days, as have hockey gloves, letters and various keepsakes.
On the Bell Center ice rink, Lafleur’s “10” had been added behind the net. The advertisements had been removed from the tape. They had been replaced by a “10”, the years “1951-2022” marking the birth and death of Lafleur, his autograph and his name.