The legends Guy Lafleur, Kim St-Pierre and Lanny McDonald are the new recipients of the Order of Hockey in Canada, Hockey Canada announced Wednesday.
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This distinction, which was introduced in 2012, is given to Canadian hockey personalities “whose role or service to the sport is deemed to be extraordinary”. Only three people are winners each year.
“Becoming appointed to the Order of Hockey in Canada is one of our sport’s most prestigious achievements, and the three honorees honored in 2022 are well deserving of this honour,” said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada, in a press release.
“Guy, Lanny and Kim have made tremendous contributions to the growth of hockey in our country and internationally, and we are thrilled with the celebration that awaits them. […] in June.”
The ceremony, which will take place in Niagara Falls, will also honor the 2020 and 2021 recipients. Ken Dryden, Bill Hay, Angela James, Sheldon Kennedy, Kevin Lowe and Dr. Charles Taton will be honored there.
Photo archives, QMI Agency
Kim St-Pierre
Choice winners
Lafleur no longer needs an introduction. The “blonde Demon” is the best scorer in the history of the Montreal Canadiens with 1276 points and won the Lord Stanley trophy six times with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. His number 10 was hoisted to the heights of the Habs’ home. Considered one of the greatest players of all time in the National Hockey League (NHL), Lafleur was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
As for her, Kim St-Pierre is one of the best doors of all time. She is the goaltender who has played the most games (83) and who has won the most games (64) under the colors of the maple leaf. His three Olympic titles testify to his incomparable record. This is a good time for St-Pierre, who entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2021.
Known for his tenacity and impressive mustache, Lanny McDonald is one of the greatest players in Calgary Flames history. In addition to leading the Alberta squad to their only Stanley Cup triumph in 1989, McDonald made a colossal contribution to the Canadian national team, both as a player and a member of the staff.