Guy Lafleur, one of the most electrifying and charismatic hockey players of his generation, considered by many observers to be the pillar of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty of the late 1970s, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. Her sister, Lise Lafleur, was the first to confirm the news in a Facebook post.
Born in Thurso, Outaouais, on September 20, 1951, Lafleur, a powerful and precise shooting right winger, played for 17 seasons in the NHL, in three different organizations, between 1971 and 1991.
With the Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques, he amassed 560 goals and 1,353 points in 1,126 regular season games, and added 58 goals and 134 points in 128 playoff games.
Claimed first in the 1971 Draft, Lafleur wore the Canadiens’ uniform from 1971 to 1984. He accumulated 518 goals and 728 assists for a total of 1,246 points in 961 games.
During the playoffs, he collected 133 points in 124 games with the Habs, including 57 goals, contributing to the conquest of five Stanley Cups, including four in a row between 1976 and 1979. Lafleur also had his name engraved on the precious trophy. in 1973.
During his career, he won the Art Ross Trophy (top scorer) and Lester B. Pearson (most valuable player) for three consecutive seasons, from 1976 to 1978. He won the Hart Trophy (most valuable player in his team) in 1977 and 1978, and the Conn-Smythe (playoff MVP) in 1977.
Between 1975 and 1980, he was elected to the first all-star team every year.
Lafleur leads the Canadiens’ rich history in assists and points in the regular season and is second only to Maurice Richard (544) in goals scored. He holds or shares about twenty team records.