They were several at the Canadian, in recent weeks, to have planned to go on vacation in the days following the conclusion of the regular schedule. Nevertheless, Tuesday noon, they were almost all present to pay a final tribute to Guy Lafleur.
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Even Shea Weber was there. In fact, there were only two absentees: Tyler Pitlick, whose moving truck was waiting for him in Calgary, and Jeff Petry, who had rushed to find his wife and their three children whom he only has too few seen since their return to Michigan.
“That almost the whole team is there means a lot. Guy was a very strong image of the Canadian. We have said it often, but the Montreal Canadiens represent a big family, said Brendan Gallagher, a few moments before the start of the ceremony. We are sad to see him go. But it’s heartwarming to see the outpouring of love Guy is receiving from fans across Canada.”
Photo Martin Alarie
Brendan Gallagher answered questions from journalists on Tuesday in front of the Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral.
Comments and messages of sympathy have indeed poured in from coast to coast since news of the Blonde Demon’s passing was announced. Tuesday, 1200 people took place inside Cathedral Marie-Reine-du-Monde. And there were a few thousand more outside.
“Seeing everyone walk past him and all that his passing has stirred in the city is really special. It’s like everyone wanted to celebrate their life,” said Nick Suzuki.
“Guy was a legend. I am proud to say that I was here today to celebrate his day, said Mathieu Perreault. The speeches of the elders touched me, like those of the family.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Nick Suzuki was also present.
Ducharme’s inspiration
Obviously, it was not only the current members of the Canadiens who wanted to be present. Also attending the event, of course, were former players, but also former members of the staff.
Like Marc Bergevin, sitting side by side with his good friend Pat Brisson. The former general manager preferred to rush through at the sight of the representative of the Log, unlike Dominique Ducharme. The latter took a few moments to bear witness to the legacy left by the Blond Demon to a pack of young Quebecers in the 1970s.
“My father was a big supporter of Guy Lafleur. It is therefore the first star that I have seen at work. For me, he was a real inspiration. As a player, but also in his way of representing the Canadiens,” said the former Habs head coach.
“Besides, it had an impact on society in general. Not just on hockey or the Canadiens, he continued, after having his portrait drawn with Carey Price. So, the tribute we paid him today was fully deserved.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Cole Caufield
A man without a filter
President of the Canadiens from 1999 to 2011, Pierre Boivin also wanted to pay tribute to him.
“We are losing a great player, but also a great citizen. He was a generous, simple man, who didn’t always have it easy, but who always knew how to stay close to the supporters. I had the privilege, as president of the club for ten years, to know him and to become friends with him. He has done so much for the foundation and the organization. He has always been very available. I wanted to say a last goodbye to him and say thank you.
What did he discover from Guy Lafleur, beyond the hockey player he had adored so much, during those years?
“A man who has no filter, who is completely honest and upright, he replied, with a burst of laughter. A man who has always loved the organization of the Montreal Canadiens, who was very happy to come back and who was a great citizen in addition to being a great hockey player.
In short, a man who fully deserved the state funeral reserved for him.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Pierre Boivin, a former president of the Canadiens, wanted to attend the national funeral of Guy Lafleur.
Gary Bettman made the trip
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (center) and his deputy Bill Daly (absent in the photo) were escorted by France Margaret Bélanger, President Sports and Entertainment of Groupe CH, yesterday.
“We have just completed a dozen days during which we experienced a lot of emotions, said the one who is one of the main organizers of the event. It was important to give the greatest respect to Guy the man, Guy the legend. »
“Everything went very well,” assured Ms. Bélanger. It was very beautiful and very emotional. There were a lot of former players. I think people wanted to come and see Guy one last time. »
Souvenirs head full
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Fans were numerous to see Guy Lafleur’s coffin enter the Marie-Reine-du-Monde cathedral on Tuesday in Montreal.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
” It’s a bit hard. He was my friend more than my teammate perhaps. We talked often. He had a fantastic and wonderful family. He was always happy. Guy Lafleur is a guy who never stopped. I will miss him very much. »
—Yvan Cournoyer
“Guy Lafleur was an authentic guy. Whether you were in Montreal or Sudbury, anywhere in Canada or the United States, Guy was always the same. You talk about Guy’s fighting spirit. During the games of the Elders, he could score half of our goals. What surprised me the most is that he made his defensive withdrawals. It was Guy. When he jumped on the rink, he gave everything he had. »
— Patrice Brisebois
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
“I was rocked by the performances of Guy Lafleur when I was little. It marks a lot of family memories. It’s an icon. It was only fitting that I come to pay my last respects to him. »
— Isabelle Charest, Minister responsible for sports in Quebec
“When I arrived as coach at the Forum, the first person to welcome me was Guy Lafleur. I haven’t been portrayed often in life, but he with his big hands, he had shaken my head. I always remembered that. I found it special. I was coming from the Olympic program and from Moncton. Guy Lafleur, it was big. »
— John Perron
“Losing a man like him is a big turning point in the history of the Canadiens. We realize how much he marked Quebec. He showed how important it was to stay close to the fans and take care of them. It is now up to young people to keep the tradition alive, not to forget the 24 Stanley Cups and the winning teams. »
—Maxim Lapierre
“I come from Lachute, it’s not too far from Thurso, Guy’s native village. Everyone knew Guy. He was an idol. My cousins played against Guy when they were kids. Like Guy, I played for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL. I ended up playing against him in the NHL and it touches me to be here for his funeral. In 1981, Wayne Gretzky played with Guy for the Canada Cup. This tournament really changed Wayne. He told me that he considered Guy a friend. He had supped with him, he had obtained advice. Wayne has often said that he became a better point guard because of this tournament with Flower. »
—Kevin Lowe
“We saw that he was exceptional and we were not the only ones who wanted to have him [comme porte-parole]. Guy was special and it was the dream of all Quebecers to do business with him. It happened to me and I’m very proud. »
— Georges Guilbault, former vice-president Sherwood-Drolet
Photo archives, Martin Alarie
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for him. He was my idol. He paved the way for so many players. When we were young and we played hockey in the street, it is like him that we imagined. Minus the hair, in my case. »
—Tie Domi
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
“Guy was very generous with his time to the QMJHL. He was always grateful and willing to give his time to junior hockey. We couldn’t find a better ambassador. »
— Gilles Courteau, commissioner of the QMJHL
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
“When you wear the Canadiens jersey, it’s special. It is the sweater of a people. It was legends like Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur who made the Montreal Canadiens famous and who paved the way for us. It was important to be here to support one of those who came before us. »
—Guillaume Latendresse
“We were blessed to have been his teammate for eight years. These are incredible memories. From 1975 to 1980 he was the best in the world. Wherever we went, we were received like royalty. Thanks to Guy, we lived beautiful moments and we will remember them the rest of our days. »
— Yvon Lambert
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
“He followed in the footsteps of other great Canadiens players. We didn’t expect it to stop, but, over time, we realize that they are hard to find, guys like Guy Lafleur. There are no more such players. We must be inspired by players like him, to review our ways of doing things, to have other players who can imitate Guy Lafleur. »
—Enrico Ciccone
-Mathieu Boulay, Jean-Francois Chaumont and Jonathan Bernier