Claude’s eyes turn red, wet with tears. “My boy plays hockey, he has long blond hair, he is talented. Some people call him the Blond Demon. He takes a break. “When my guy asks me if he should become ‘like Guy Lafleur,’ I tell him, ‘No, be nice, be respectful, like he was, that’s all.'”
The atmosphere is different from that of an ordinary pre-game as spectators flock to the Bell Center on this cloudy Sunday evening. People are calm. Silent, even. In an almost solemn atmosphere, they patiently wait their turn to take a photo in front of the large statue of number 10, at the foot of which sit dozens of bouquets of flowers.
Intercepted while waiting for his brother to enter the arena, Claude, a season ticket holder for twenty years, notes how unique the atmosphere is. “Normally, before a game against the Bruins, fans wearing their jerseys would be booed. But we are elsewhere, this evening, he notes. The atmosphere is different. At the height of man. »
A man – visibly intoxicated – calls out to a Bruins fan who collects himself in front of the player’s statue. “Go back with your gang,” he says cavalierly. “Hey, he’s a hockey fan, he has the right,” the fans all around immediately reply. This is not the time for partisanship.
Men, women, children, adults who are old enough to have witnessed the conquests of the Stanley Cup by Lafleur and his gang, all take a moment in front of the statue of the legend. “When I learned that Lafleur’s state of health was deteriorating, I kept all my tickets for the remaining games,” continues Claude, already moved by thinking of the tribute that the Canadian will pay to his star player before the game. After the ceremony, the crowd will reserve a ten-minute ovation for number 10. A final goodbye in the form of applause that won’t stop.
beyond generations
Tonight, Marc is taking his little Félix, who is not ten years old, to his very first Canadian game. The man, who was “stunned” by the announcement of the death of Lafleur, had gone to the burning chapel at the death of Maurice Richard and intends to take his son to that for Guy Lafleur, which will be held on May 1 and 2 at the Bell Center. “This relationship is passed down from father to son! », interrupts the little boy with enthusiasm. His father smiled, amused. “Guy Lafleur has brought a lot to many homes,” continues Marc.
Coming with his father Geoff, Owen, born in 2004, regrets not having been able to witness the prowess of Lafleur during his lifetime. “But I still understand that he is an iconic player,” he says. His father, like several men he met outside the Bell Center that evening, grew up with the Blond Demon’s prowess. “He lived each day as if it were his last,” recalls Geoff.
Sitting on chairs near the spectator entrance, Véronique and Francis sip coffee before entering. If Véronique proudly wears her Bruins jersey, Francis is an inveterate fan of the Canadiens and grew up in the Lafleur era. Like all the other supporters polled that evening, he is delighted that a state funeral will be held for his hero. And he notes that the unifying character of Guy Lafleur continues, even after his departure.
“We have just had two difficult years. It’s the fun to join in something. »