How can we forget this skater, possessing an acceleration that sowed terror among all the defenders of the National Hockey League, spinning on the right white at a great speed?
The blond Demon thrilled fans with his determination, his passion for his sport.
He was constantly striving for perfection. His relentlessness allowed him to reach the highest peaks of his profession while keeping the modesty that characterized him.
We can say that he has always kept his supporters on the alert.
He knew how to stir up crowds because he was above all a great screenwriter.
We never knew what he was going to present as a performance except that there was no doubt that it would be a spectacular outcome.
Match after match, he captured attention. After three difficult seasons, after modest beginnings, even plunging him into doubt, he joined the greatest players in the history of the franchise, Maurice Richard and Jean Béliveau.
He was a phenomenon.
He never missed the ultimate appointments. Because it made the difference.
stand out
His exploits are numerous. In the most strategic moments, he managed to stand out. He was in a class apart.
The stats speak for themselves, but above all, he had a huge impact on a team that dominated professional hockey.
Across the league, he quickly became a player to watch. He was on the side of the enemy, but we appreciated all that he achieved on the playing surface. He respected the letters of nobility of the sport of hockey.
What we remember about this generous, sincere and respectful man is that he always gave back to the community the love it had for him.
As a reporter assigned to cover the Canadiens, it was a privilege to rub shoulders with the players of such a spectacular, extraordinary team, and to be able to share moments with Guy Lafleur, it was unique.
If he had a comment to make, he spoke from his heart. Sometimes he was cutting in his words, but he was telling the truth.
There were never half measures with Flower.
It was white or it was black.
What was important was the victory. It was his team.
The Canadian
Martin St-Louis couldn’t sum up Guy Lafleur better: “He was the Canadiens. »
In the same way as Jean Béliveau and Maurice Richard.
Covering the Canadiens’ games and practices held surprises every day. Even during training Flower attracted attention.
As I said, Guy Lafleur was a great screenwriter.
Even in a New York Rangers uniform, after a much talked about three-year retirement, he managed to rouse the Forum crowd with a two-goal performance in his first game in Montreal.
Only he could achieve such a performance.
Quebec loses an ambassador.
A great ambassador.
An exceptional player.
A man of heart.
A man who has always been driven by the pride of representing Quebec.