We tell each other, we laugh, we cry… We remember that we will never forget. I even wonder if we realize the size of the piece that goes away, and it’s so much deeper than hockey. Some will think that, like René Lévesque, it was more loaded than politics.
For almost a week, I wake up and the first thought that comes to mind is: “It can’t be. Guy is dead. »
Yvan Cournoyer is terribly shaken, and like a child who doesn’t believe it, he said to me: “It looks like he’s coming back…”
Obviously, Martin Lafleur is unable to admit in his heart of hearts that he will never see his father again. And you? In his great qualities, there was a constant, a denominator that always came back, and Guy made a golden mountain out of it: to please. As much as he wanted to lift you out of your seat when he was playing, he took the ball when he was told of his heart problems and cancer. As soon as he approached the hospital, he became a spokesperson for the CHUM and he immediately helped raise money and a lot of money for the foundation.
And also, he volunteered for experimental treatments to help… others. He still wanted to give.
It is our own Guy Lafleur who has espoused countless causes by multiplying outings, declarations, support. And when his son Mark found himself in court, like a man of honor, like an unconditional father, he stood in front of his son as if to protect him, beside his son to encourage him and behind his son to support him.
His sons, his teammates
Last fall, Guy gave me news of Mark. His eyes became full of light.
“Mark, he’s doing great. He became a tiler and he likes it. Mark, you know, he’s an artist. It means that he has become good and not nearly so. »
Courtesy picture
Little Sienna-Rose is Martin’s daughter and how good she looks in Grandpa Guy’s lap.
With moving pride and a brief moment of dramatic silence, he added, “I always knew…I knew he would be okay, Mark. »
Guy had said it to Paul Arcand: “Me, Mark, I’m never going to abandon him. Never. »
new agent
Remember a little over a year ago when Guy let everyone know that his agent was now a certain Martin Lafleur.
Once again, Guy beamed explaining how Martin had done that well in the negotiation of the film and then with the Canadian for his role of ambassador.
Magically, his two sons became his teammates and I know fifty, if not a hundred guys who will tell you that as a teammate and in all circumstances, Guy Lafleur is the pinnacle.
With the fans as with the boys
For the past few days, and more than ever, you have been reminded everywhere, even if you already knew it, how generous, patient and diligent Guy was with his fans. Photos, autographs, handshakes, hugs, you will never find a single person who has been denied a match.
Know that he was also intense with his teammates who, how many times, got up from the table in the restaurant to find that someone had picked up all the bills.
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 against 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
He was never a captain, but he also sometimes rented a suite in a hotel to bring together and weld the boys.
This man wanted to be loved because he loved.
Guy couldn’t believe his eyes when Guy Lamothe, the mayor of Sainte-Sophie, in the Laurentians, showed him his tattoo. Yes, it’s a real one.
In the middle of the flight, Guy often got up from his seat and went to help the flight attendants to distribute lunches or pick up leftovers, even on commercial flights.
The flight attendant
Imagine people being told, “Did you finish your meal? and who, raising their heads, saw Guy Lafleur, the real one.
Guy Lafleur was a character of unimaginable power. He demonstrated it to us in such an obvious and spectacular way on the skates, but elsewhere as well.
character
After his accident in 1981, he decided not to touch alcohol anymore, and several years later, when he accepted a small glass of wine, it was never like the Roaring Twenties again. He had taken himself in hand, he had become another man after what nearly killed him at 30.
Courtesy picture
15 months ago, shortly before the start of his treatments, Guy was experimenting with beards. But no, it was too stinging.
Character? When he decided to return to the National League after an absence of almost four seasons. An unimaginable feat.
When he decided to become a helicopter pilot. Focused, tenacious and determined, he became a role model, and of course excellent as usual.
When he decided to go boating, he didn’t go on the river or the small lake. He left Montreal, he crossed the entire river, he passed the Gaspé Peninsula, and alone with Lise, he launched himself into the sea as far as the Magdalen Islands.
Still love
Before the Holidays, when he decided to cut the medication, the major treatments, he didn’t want to die, but he accepted his cancer. He wanted to live again to give, to love.
You knew Guy Lafleur.
Do you realize your luck?
