Canadian tribute | A sober ceremony, a monster ovation

The love story between Guy Lafleur and Canadiens fans has lasted 50 years. It’s not about to end.

Simon Olivier Lorange
The Press

The approximately 21,000 people gathered at the Bell Center on Sunday evening gave a nearly 10-minute ovation to the Blond Demon, who died of lung cancer on Friday.

Twice, the house announcer Michel Lacroix took the floor in the hope that the official ceremony would continue. But nothing worked. Each time, the applause redoubled in ardor, supported by the “Guy! Guy! Guy! » and even the « Olé! Ole! Ole! “. The electrifying atmosphere of the moment had nothing to envy to a playoff game.

These outpourings followed a sober celebration organized by the Canadian. All advertisements have been removed from the bands surrounding the ice, leaving room for a simple succession of Canadiens logos and enlargements of Lafleur’s signature. During the warm-up period, the CH players did not wear their helmets, a nod to the one whose mop of hair in the wind has become part of his legend. The CH players, like those of the Bruins, entered the ice in solemn silence.

A first montage of photos paraded on the giant screen on the song The essential, by Ginette Reno. Superimposed sound clips from interviews with Lafleur contributed to the intimacy of the moment. “Playing hockey isn’t a job, it’s a game. You have to have fun… and win as much as possible! we heard Lafleur say with a burst of laughter.

The room My Way, popularized by Frank Sinatra, rocked the following montage, focused mainly on Guy Lafleur’s performance on the ice. The final photo of the right winger accompanied by Jean Béliveau and Maurice Richard, followed by an image showing him with a torch in his hand, launched the monster ovation.

Under the applause and cries, we sometimes saw the number 10 banner on the ceiling, sometimes the former players of the team, their eyes in the water, gathered behind the bench of the team.

The amphitheater was plunged into darkness for a moment of silence that the spectators more or less respected. The vision of cellphone lights was however spectacular.

“Ladies and gentlemen: Guy Lafleur! exclaimed announcer Michel Lacroix in conclusion before the game began.

As a goodbye to the one who gave so much for the Canadian. But certainly not a farewell.

The grieving elders

A dozen former Canadiens players met with members of the media an hour before the game to talk about their great friend and former teammate. Testimonials.

Guy Lapointe, teammate of Guy Lafleur for 11 seasons

“It’s a big loss for Quebec. It’s unreal, it’s hard to believe that we’ve come to this, that we’re talking about this. I want to tell him that we love him. He was like a brother. He was so generous with everyone. He will be greatly missed. The wave of recognition he receives does not surprise me at all. He has always been close to the public, has always taken the time. He was an example for all of us. »

Réjean Houle, teammate for nine seasons

“It’s been very difficult since Friday, but the more I step back and talk to his son, the more I see how sick he was at the end. He was tired of suffering, he decided to leave. We loved her very much, our Flower…

The guys on the third and fourth line, we didn’t have the same importance as the top-tier players who were all on the power play. But Guy never made us feel it. When he signed autographs, he gave us the notebook afterwards. Whenever we had a point to defend with the management, he was the one who went there. That’s why we won: we had great players and average players, but we were united. It was a great period of happiness.

Tonight, we want to say thank you. He dedicated so much time for the organization and for us alumni. It’s a huge loss. We want to thank him and greet his family. He will stay with us all the time. »

Bob Gainey, teammate for 11 seasons

“At this point in our lives, we have experienced a lot of losses. In addition, a week after Mike Bossy… It’s always a shock to see that this person will no longer be in our lives. It allows us to reflect and relive good memories.

He was our best, most talented player. He worked as hard, if not more, than the others, but never placed himself above us. But as soon as the game started, we knew he was above us. »

Yvan Cournoyer, teammate for eight seasons

“This edition of the club had won five cups before he arrived, and I remember being so happy when he arrived! Because I knew that with a guy like that, we were going to continue to win Stanley Cups. It was impossible not to win with Guy Lafleur… and he and I won five more cups!

When he came with us, he was still playing with his headphones, and then he was having a bit of trouble, and people were starting to say he should play better than that. At one point he was told, take off your headphones and play like you can play, you won’t have any more problems! Initially, the problem was that he was in the center, while Guy was a right winger. When he went right, and after taking off his helmet, he started having 50-goal seasons! But helmet or no helmet, Guy, he was a natural. »

Lucien Deblois, teammate for four seasons

“I remember my first game against him; I was with the Rangers, Guy was in his prime, and it was at Madison Square Garden. People at MSG have always received Guy well, I was surprised how well the fans could welcome him there. One of my first appearances that night, I made a turnover and I gave him the puck… Luckily for me, he didn’t score! But Guy was so ahead of everyone at that time. If you watch Connor McDavid play now, well, for those who have never seen Guy, it was the same way back in the day. He was electrifying, faster than everyone. He was a tick above. »

Pierre Bouchard, teammate for seven seasons

“During a series in 1977, players from the Bruins had put a price on his head, if you will, they had promised to brew him at the old Garden… but Guy had continued to play like Guy. I remember he was a little nervous, but he was so good…so he got through that, and I think he had a two-goal, two-assist night there.

In the 1976 final against Philadelphia, he had received death threats, and I could see from my house the unmarked police cars in front of his house. Something was happening. Guy didn’t want to talk too much about it, and Jean Béliveau had suggested that he go on leave for a month, but Guy stayed. Later, we came to understand that it was criminal gamblers who had put money on the Flyers and who were trying to distract him.

We beat the Flyers in four, so hopefully those guys lost it all! Guy leaves too quickly. In his playing time, he was always the first to arrive at the Forum on match days. There, he is the first to leave before the others…”