Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur loses battle with cancer
In what is a sad day for NHL fans the world over, we remember the one of the greatest players that the sport has ever seen
It’s a sad day for the NHL, the Montreal Candiens and hockey fans the world over.
Montreal Canadiens’ legend Guy Lafleur loses battle with cancer
According to announcement from his family on Friday, Montreal Canadiens legendary winger Guy Lafleur passed away following a long and difficult battle with lung cancer. Lafleur was 70 at the time of his death. It is understood that LaFleur had been receiving treatment for lung cancer since September 2019, when a cancerous spot was discovered on his lung after having quadruple bypass surgery. A sad day indeed for all who love the game.
Guy Lafleur was loved by all
One of the most decorated and celebrated players in the history of the NHL, Lafleur was the first player in the league’s history to score 50 goals in six consecutive seasons while also recording 100 points in six consecutive seasons. Speaking on the passing of the legend, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement, “Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988, Lafleur was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players during the League’s Centennial celebration in 2017. He remained adored in Quebec throughout his post-playing days, signing autographs for hours at countless appearances as a franchise ambassador, having forged a special and enduring bond with the fans of his home province and adopted city. ...The National Hockey League mourns the passing of the iconic Guy LaFleur.”
Legendary Numbers: A look at Guy Lafleur’s stats
Selected as the No. 1 pick in the 1971 NHL Draft, the Canadiens winger was brought on board with the high expectation of being corner stone of a franchise that had just seen the retirement of the legendary center Jean Béliveau in the previous season. Did he live up to all the hype? Absolutely. Lafleur, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 would go on to spend an incredible 14 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Canadiens during which time Montreal would win five Stanley Cups.
The NHL icon would also be awarded the Art Ross Trophy - most points - on three occasions while taking home the Hart Trophy for MVP twice. In 1977 Lafleur also won the Conn Smythe Trophy - awarded to the MVP of the team in the playoffs - during the 1977 post season after he registered 26 points with 9 goals and 17 assists in 14 games. Without doubt Lafleur will be remembered as one of the most exceptional goal scorers in the sport’s history. Almost four decades after his retirement, he still ranked No. 1 on the Canadiens’ all-time list in regular season points (1,246), assists (728) and single season points (136). To punctuate the point, Lafleur also registered the most 40-goal, 50-goal and 100-point seasons) in franchise history while also amassing a Canadiens record 13 game-winning goals in a single season and 94 over the course of his career.
The Man vs the Myth: Remembering Guy Lafleur
As a habitual smoker, Lafleur was aware of the risks such that recently he had been partnering with Merck Canada as part of its “Be The MVP” campaign to raise awareness about early lung cancer detection. In the end, however, it was sadly too late. Perhaps the words that will capture the effect he had on fans best are those of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - an avid Canadiens fan. Speaking on the passing of Lafleur, Trudeau was sincere when he said that Lafleur was “unlike anyone else on the ice. His speed, skill, and scoring were hard to believe. ...My thoughts are with all who are mourning this tremendous loss - in Quebec, across Canada, and around the world. We’ll miss you, Number 10.”