Nicknamed the “Flower”, the Montreal Canadiens icon played for the team for 14 years during the 1970s and 1980s and helped bring home five Stanley Cup trophies. Remains the all-time leading scorer for the Habs. Lafleur died at the age of 70 on April 22 after a battle with lung cancer. “Out of respect for the public, which has supported Guy all these years, the Lafleur family has agreed to share their grief with the community. And according to the wishes of the family, all activities will reflect the image of the hockey legend. “They will be humble and approachable,” the Montreal Canadians said in a statement last week. Thousands of fans lined up outside the Bell Center to pay their last respects to the hockey legend on Sunday. The long line was filled with lots of sweaters with # 10 – Lafleur’s number. Members of the public had the opportunity to pay tribute on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. and will be able to do so on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Longtime fan Barry Weedmark told CTV News that Lafleur was his childhood hero when he was growing up and that he had met him once in 1995. Another fan who came from Lafleur’s hometown, Thurso, said it was an “honor” to see Lafleur’s name and image in the city and that Lafleur was always happy. Quebec Prime Minister François Lego also visited Lafleur’s office on Sunday. “I remember moments when I was with my father, watching the fight and hearing the crowd say ‘Guy Guy Guy,’” he said. “That was something, that was something.” It was a song that often went up in the crowd outside the Bell Center waiting for their turn to say goodbye. This emotion and admiration is something a father in the crowd said he wanted to pass on to the next generation. “My father told me about him,” the fan told CTV News. “He was a superstar of his time, he was an idol for the whole country, awesome.” Legault announced last weekend that the Quebec government would honor Lafleur with a national funeral, intended for Quebecians who make significant contributions to the province. “(It’s) sad, of course. He was only 70 years old. I’m 64, so it’s scary,” he told reporters at the Bell Center on Sunday afternoon. “I lost my father when he was young. He was 59. So, at the same time, I remember moments with my father, watching Guy Lafleur and hearing the crowd say ‘Guy, Guy, Guy!’ The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. The Canadians failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, but ended the season with great success, scoring 10 goals against the Florida Panthers on Friday night – 10 as the number on the back of the Lafleur jersey. “On Friday night, we had 10 goals. Some said it owed him Guy Lafleur. Now, all number 10 (is) Guy Lafleur,” said Legault. With files from CTV News Montreal, Alexandra Mae Jones of CTVNews.ca and Genevieve Beauchemin of CTV National News
Like many, I went to the Bell Center to say goodbye to Guy Lafleur today. Excited to see so many people who came to pay tribute to their hero. Thanks for everything, Guy! Thank you for inspiring us and making us proud. We will never forget you! pic.twitter.com/GUGMT14YKU – François Legault (@francoislegault) May 1, 2022
