The number 10 shimmered above Guy Lafleur’s closed casket on the first day of laying in state at the Bell Centre.
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To the left of the banner were the Art-Ross, Ted-Lindsay, Hart, Conn-Smythe trophies, the Stanley Cup and a helicopter, a great passion of the Blond Demon. To the right were the members of the family of the deceased who received the condolences of the population.
The scene was solemn. It was sober, but beautiful at the same time.
Photo: AFP
Yvan Cournoyer and his wife offered their condolences to Lise Lafleur, Guy’s wife.
“It’s beautiful inside the Bell Centre,” said Yvon Lambert. I find that remarkable. It’s Guy Lafleur, it’s great. »
“I’ve been repeating myself for a week. But it’s really serious. With people waiting outside to enter the Bell Centre, it’s a picture of Guy Lafleur’s life, added Lambert. He was a man close to the people. He embodied generosity and kindness. »
“Guy was good when he made people happy,” added Réjean Houle. When we had events, Guy always made sure to give souvenirs to everyone, parents, children or grandparents. »
“Guy was happy to make the world happy,” added Houle. Sometimes we had objects for the foundation. We had four or five to give away. He called us: “I want 50”. He signed the 50 objects and gave that to his world. He had a natural generosity. It did him good. »
Stories
In the head coach’s press conference room at the Bell Centre, Houle and Lambert happily shared anecdotes about their accomplice and friend.
Photo: AFP
Guy Carbonneau was also there.
“Guy Lafleur was going a hundred miles an hour everywhere,” Houle said. One hundred miles an hour when he left by car for Quebec. A hundred miles an hour when he was skating on the ice and a hundred miles an hour on Crescent Street. »
Lambert interpreted this quote as a perfect pass on his palette.
“Apparently it is true. Guy and Gilles Villeneuve, drove from the Lafontaine tunnel to the old Quebec bridge in 58 minutes. The pedal was at the bottom tabarouette. »
One beer at a time
Author of the winning goal in overtime of the 7th game of the semi-final against the Boston Bruins on May 10, 1979, Lambert had a smile on his face as he recalled this highlight of his career. Lafleur scored the tying goal late in the third period in the 5-4 win.
“Guy gave birth to me in 1979,” he said. I’ve known stardom for 24 hours. I was in demand and realizing what Guy Lafleur’s life was like. »
Photo: AFP
Former teammate of the Blond Demon, Bob Gainey collected himself in front of the coffin.
Houle also recalled the big heart of his famous teammate.
“When we won and we went out somewhere after a game, Guy always picked up the bill. He refused to see the other guys pay. He was happy when he stayed with us. »
“When you are a super star, you are asked everywhere, chained Lambert. Guy Carbonneau had said it, but he never saw Flower come to training with jeans. He was always well dressed since he always had requests for him. »
“We could go and have a beer and eat a meal after training. As I always say, we had one beer at a time. We needed to chat too. We were talking about our loss in our last 15 games. »
Guy Lafleur | 1951-2022
March 30, 1991 – Ovation for Guy Lafleur during his last game at the Forum in a Nordiques uniform. Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur during his years with Le Canadien Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur André Toto Gingras THE MONTREAL JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY
The Canadian Hockey Club presents the recipients of the Guy-Lafleur Excellence and Merit Awards for 2017-2018 CHANTAL POIRIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur during the last game of his farewell tour at the Bell Center on Sunday December 5, 2010. Sébastien St-Jean / 24Heures / QMI Agency
September 11, 1971 – On the eve of his first training camp with the Montreal Canadiens, for the first time Guy Lafleur took the opportunity to skate on the Forum ice rink. In the photo he is with Jean Béliveau. Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Autographed photo of Guy Lafleur in his Quebec Remparts uniform Courtesy
Guy Lafleur as part of the evening for the retirement of Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Slush Puppie Center in Gatineau on Wednesday September 29, 2021 MARTIN CHEVALIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur and his banner as part of the evening for the retirement of Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Slush Puppie Center in Gatineau on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 MARTIN CHEVALIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur’s last game with the Quebec Nordiques, in Montreal on March 30, 1991 Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Sculpture by Guy Lafleur in bronze Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur, Pee-Wee Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament Collection, Modern Photo Fund
Guy Lafleur, Pee-Wee Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament Collection, Modern Photo Fund
Guy Lafleur and the Art Ross, Conn Smythe and Lester B. Pearson trophies, Montreal Forum, 1976 Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur, then a member of Team Canada, signs autographs during practice for the Canada Cup, Montreal 1976 Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur and goaltender Murray Bannerman #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Forum 1980 Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur and goaltender Mike Palmateer of the Toronto Maple Leafs Dick Darrell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
March 7, 1975 – Guy Lafleur becomes the first player in Canadiens history to reach 100 points in a single season in an 8-4 win over the Washington Capitals Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur on the bench during Game 3 against the Boston Bruins, Boston Gardens, 1977 Dick Raphael/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Announcement of Guy Lafleur’s first retirement The Archives / The Journal of Montreal
The QMJHL retires Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Videotron Center in Quebec, Thursday October 28, 2021 STEVENS LEBLANC / JOURNAL DE QUEBEC / QMI AGENCY
Not a ball player
There was hockey in the winter, but also softball tours in the summer.
“Guy coached us on the ball,” Houle said. He was not a good ball player. Despite everything, when we arrived somewhere, everyone wanted to know if Guy was there. »
“He wasn’t a good golfer or a good ball player, but he was no worse in hockey,” added Lambert. Larry Robinson was quite a ball player. Pierre Mondou and Ken Dryden too, but not Guy. »
If they let several tears run down their cheeks during the last days, Lambert and Houle had a lighter heart on this day of meditation.
“I know Guy and I know he would like to see us smile,” Lambert said.