Brendan Shanahan made an important symbolic gesture on Sunday by inviting Rick Vaive, Wendel Clarke and Doug Gilmour to jump on a plane for a whirlwind visit to Montreal.
In his role as president of the Maple Leafs, Shanahan wanted to offer his condolences to the Lafleur family in person. He was accompanied by three former Leafs glories.
Stocking story
“He didn’t need to twist an arm to convince me,” said Rick Vaive with a smile. Guy was such a good player, I had the pleasure of playing once morest him. But when I was eleven years old and I stayed in Prince Edward Island, the Canadiens had played a preseason game. I had missed school and had met Eddy Palchak. I had helped him with the equipment and I gave stockings to all the CH players. I still remember it today and I am 62 years old.
Sadness
“It’s hard not to cry, added Gilmour, who played two years for the Habs, in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Growing up, I was cheering for the Leafs, but I loved watching the big NHL stars. Guy was a hero in the 1970s. Later, I played once morest him in the NHL.