Several thousand admirers of Guy Lafleur converged on Sunday at the Bell Centre, which had been transformed into a burning chapel for the occasion, in order to pay homage to a legend and a hero for more than one generation.
• Read also: “With Guy Lafleur, we were winners,” says François Legault
“Arrived in front of his coffin, I cried. Everyone was emotional, it’s a large part of Quebec that is leaving, ”dropped Charles Simard, following saying goodbye to the Blond Demon.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
The 69-year-old man, who has the Montreal Canadiens logo tattooed on one arm, did not hesitate for a second to get up at 3 a.m. to leave Jonquière, in Saguenay, to come to Montreal for this historic day.
Like him, thousands of Quebecers made the trip to the Bell Center ice on Sunday.
Everywhere
From the four corners of Quebec, via New Brunswick or Ottawa, not everyone asked a question when the time came to pay a last tribute to this legend.
Many waited a few hours under the spring sun before entering the amphitheater. The majority of fans with whom Le Journal spoke had had the chance to meet Guy Lafleur, a sign of the proximity that the hockey player had with the public.
Screenshot, TVA Nouvelles
“Several say that it is he who has given the most autographs in the history of Quebec, it is still not nothing,” said Prime Minister François Legault, as he left the burning chapel.
Guy Lafleur | 1951-2022
March 30, 1991 – Ovation for Guy Lafleur during his last game at the Forum in a Nordiques uniform. Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur during his years with Le Canadien Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur André Toto Gingras THE MONTREAL JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY
The Canadian Hockey Club presents the recipients of the Guy-Lafleur Excellence and Merit Awards for 2017-2018 CHANTAL POIRIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur during the last game of his farewell tour at the Bell Center on Sunday December 5, 2010. Sébastien St-Jean / 24Heures / QMI Agency
September 11, 1971 – On the eve of his first training camp with the Montreal Canadiens, for the first time Guy Lafleur took the opportunity to skate on the Forum ice rink. In the photo he is with Jean Béliveau. Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Autographed photo of Guy Lafleur in his Quebec Remparts uniform Courtesy
Guy Lafleur as part of the evening for the retirement of Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Slush Puppie Center in Gatineau on Wednesday September 29, 2021 MARTIN CHEVALIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur and his banner as part of the evening for the retirement of Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Slush Puppie Center in Gatineau on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 MARTIN CHEVALIER / LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Guy Lafleur’s last game with the Quebec Nordiques, in Montreal on March 30, 1991 Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Sculpture by Guy Lafleur in bronze Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur, Pee-Wee Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament Collection, Modern Photo Fund
Guy Lafleur, Pee-Wee Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament Collection, Modern Photo Fund
Guy Lafleur and the Art Ross, Conn Smythe and Lester B. Pearson trophies, Montreal Forum, 1976 Denis Brodeur / NHLI via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur, then a member of Team Canada, signs autographs during practice for the Canada Cup, Montreal 1976 Denis Brodeur / NHLI via Getty Images
Guy Lafleur and goaltender Murray Bannerman #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Forum 1980 Denis Brodeur / NHLI via Getty Images
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Mike Palmateer and Guy Lafleur Dick Darrell / Toronto Star via Getty Images
March 7, 1975 – Guy Lafleur becomes the first player in Canadiens history to reach 100 points in a single season in an 8-4 win over the Washington Capitals Archives / Le Journal de Montreal
Guy Lafleur on the bench during Game 3 once morest the Boston Bruins, Boston Gardens, 1977 Dick Raphael / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Announcement of Guy Lafleur’s first retirement The Archives / The Journal of Montreal
The QMJHL retires Guy Lafleur’s number 4 at the Videotron Center in Quebec, Thursday October 28, 2021 STEVENS LEBLANC / JOURNAL DE QUEBEC / QMI AGENCY
Like Mr. Simard, many supporters came out of the chapel very moved. In a relatively dark room, they might walk through an illuminated red carpet, before being able to offer their condolences to the Lafleur family, present for a good part of the day.
“I had the chance to meet him several times and he gave me a lot of advice. He always took the time to chat with us,” recalls Christian Jolin, from Danville in Estrie.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Trophies on display
A few trophies won during his long National League career were loaned for the occasion by the Hockey Hall of Fame, including the Stanley Cup, prominently displayed in the center of the memorial.
A helicopter in the colors of the CH sat enthroned next to the cup in order to underline the passion of “Ti-Guy” for aviation.
A historic moment
If many fans made the trip, it is also for the historical side of the event: Guy Lafleur was the last living legend of the Montreal Canadiens and a hero for many Quebecers.
“We have just lost the last great legend of hockey in Quebec, players like that we will never see once more,” dropped Marc Lottinville, 50, who was accompanied by his son, Simon, 8 years old.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
The latter, who has never known the blond Demon on the ice, knows however that he is witnessing an important day.
“My father showed me a lot of archives, I know he loved it very much,” he confides shyly.
▶ On Monday, the Ardent Chapel will continue from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The state funeral will be held at Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
A giant that touched all generations
Photo courtoisie, The Canadian Press
His talent and boundless generosity made Guy Lafleur the man of the people, who showed him all his admiration on Sunday.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“Guy was a Picasso of hockey. He was an artist on skates who can never be replaced. »
– Charles Simard, 69, from Jonquière with Laurène Tremblay and Éric Dubois (right).
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“We have just lost the last great hockey legend in Quebec. Players like that, we will never see them once more. »
– Marc Lottinville, 50, from Sainte-Catherine, with his son Simon, 8.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“Even if we didn’t know him or see him play, we all know who Guy Lafleur is. It was important to come and pay homage to him and take part in this historic day. »
– Jérémy Scaire, 23, from Montreal (right).
“It’s a page of history that has just been turned. We don’t know if we will have the chance to relive one of these historic moments, so it was important to come and experience it and be part of it. »
– Alexandre Leclerc, 23, of Montreal (left).
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“Since I was little, I have always admired Mr. Lafleur, both as a hockey player and as a generous man. He was truly a people player. »
– Barry Wedmark, 52 ans, d’Ottawa.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“I cried more when Guy Lafleur died than when my father died. He was a legend and a humble man who was an example for me and many others. »
– Christian Jolin, 64, from Danville.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“I saw him at the Forum in 76, 77, 78, 79 winning the Stanley Cups. We all wanted to be number 10 on the ice to be like him! He was the only one that made us stand up and scream in front of the television. He made us experience emotions, he was spectacular. »
– Daniel Goyer, from Montreal, showing a souvenir to Valérie Plante.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“When Guy died, it was the end of Mount Rushmore in Quebec hockey. I’ve followed him his whole life as a fan, so the least I can do is come say goodbye to him. »
– Jamie Duckett, 66 ans, d’Ottawa.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“When I was little and we played with my friends, we fought to be the one who was going to be Guy Lafleur on the ice. It has always been my idol, and it will remain so. »
– André Godin, of Montreal, with Daniel Goyer (left).
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“He was a great player, but a player at the height of the people, because he was accessible. As a child, at hockey school, he came to see us and spend time with us. He was almost a coach for us. These are unforgettable memories. »
– Jocelyn Duteau, 58, of Cowansville, with Réjean Vallières (left).
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“My dad passed that on to us. It’s like we’ve seen his career and we know what it feels like when people are shouting “Guy! Guy! Dude!” in the stands. »
– Emrik Bourré, 11, from Montreal, with Karine Lavoie, Peyton and Daniel.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“I delivered to his Bleu-Blanc-Rouge restaurant. He was my childhood idol already, it was important to see him. […] He was a simple, natural guy. You might talk to him like he’s known you for 20 years. »
– Sylvain Lapointe, 51, of Sainte-Adèle, with Andrew, Kevin and William.
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
“In addition to being our best player, he is a guy who is so human. He signed autographs for everyone, he was very nice. We identify a little with him. »
– Jocelyn Beauvais, 67, Montreal.
“He was my first love, not my wife. I loved him before loving anyone. »
– Tony Perry, from Toronto, accompanied by his nephew Robert.
“He was a star, not like the stars of today. He was a normal person. He spoke to you, looked you in the eye, asked you what you did for a living. »
– Mosé Persico, 60, host for CTV Montreal, who was struggling to contain his tears.
« [Wayne] Gretzky is the greatest player of all time, for sure, but he wasn’t as exciting as Lafleur. It wasn’t just her hair in the wind, it was her attitude. His goals were all spectacular. »
– Stephen Shard, 61, of Vancouver, proudly wore a 1991 All-Star Game jersey honoring Guy Lafleur.
