It was June 10, 1971. A Thursday. That morning, Guy Lafleur and his parents, Réjean and Pierrette, left Thurso around 8 am for Reine-Élizabeth. At this large downtown hotel the NHL Entry Draft will be held at the end of the morning.
Guy Lafleur was 19 years old then and he didn’t care. All the newspapers are talking about him. Canadiens and the world of professional hockey expect this. But to Réjean Lafleur’s extreme resentment, his son does not seem to be in a hurry to leave. The father even told biographer Georges Hébert-Germain that ten minutes after finally leaving the house, Guy returned to pick up … his sunglasses.
He was driving a glowing Buick Riviera donated by Quebec Remparts and he was about to enter the door to the most prestigious hockey team in the world. This was perhaps the happiest day of his youth.
Caught in the congestion of the metropolis – there are things that don’t change – the Lafleur family finally showed up at Queen Elizabeth at the last minute, somewhere between 11 am and noon. Even before Sam Pollock pronounced Guy’s name and made him the first draft pick.
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Not later than last October, when we paid tribute to him in Quebec, Guy Lafleur said that a few weeks after this historic draft day, he had lunch with Jean Béliveau. The latter and his wife Elise welcomed him into their home when he arrived in Montreal.
Out of emotion, Lafleur recalled that Big Bill, who had just announced his retirement, advised him to taste every moment of his career because time flies so fast.
Jean told me “You see, it passed quickly”. And I said to myself: “I’m 19 years old, it’s not going to pass that fast”. But I must confess to you that I have never seen it passsaid Lafleur, eyes full of water, as he exposed a very beautiful statue of him.
Sport is a metaphor for life, which also passes quickly. And that too, Jean Béliveau testified several years before he died.
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On Tuesday May 3, 2022, nearly 51 years after the 1971 draft, and at the same time, Guy Lafleur was greeted for the last time at the Marie-Reine-du-Monde cathedral, a few meters from the grand hotel. where he started that path as a national hero.
Time really flew by like lightning. The loop is closed. And what an amazing loop it is.
In 1971, Lafleur was welcomed into the Canadian family of Sam Pollock, Scotty Bowman, Claude Ruel and new teammates who wanted to see this young phenomenon that everyone was talking about at work.
To say goodbye to him on Monday, along with the family of the deceased, prime ministers and former prime ministers, elected officials and all sorts of dignitaries crowded the seats of the cathedral.
You really have to get past hockey for the premieres of Quebec and Canada to be side by side for two hours whispered a valued colleague who had the privilege to cover the 1970s dynasty.
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Montreal, Mgr Christian Lépine, accompanied by the Cardinal (and Archbishop of Quebec) Mgr Gérald Cyprien Lacroix. Until the very end, Guy Lafleur’s name was therefore simultaneously linked to Montreal and Quebec.
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Several generations of CH employees and players were present, including all the players of the current edition. Owners, managers and representatives of other NHL organizations, as well as commissioner Gary Bettman, also traveled to participate in this final salute.
Joe Sakic, who was Guy Lafleur’s mentor when he started at Quebec Nordiques, was present even as the Colorado Avalanche, of which he was the big boss, started their playoffs that same night.
Guy Lafleur often carries his team on his shoulders during his career. It was sad, and wonderful at the same time, to see Mario Tremblay, Guy Lapointe, Yvon Lambert, Steve Shutt and Pierre Bouchard join Martin and Mark Lafleur to carry their father’s coffin, wrapped in the CH flag.
Yes, time flies. The hair turned gray. The backs are a bit arched and the steps are a bit uncertain. But somewhere, their many tears are the undeniable proof that there is a relationship between these men that will never be undone.
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Martin Lafleur gave a touching and powerful testimony about a father that he had to share with the public throughout his life.
My father always took care of his family despite his many promises. He really liked being with us. He took me to practices and even though he wasn’t demonstrative, I could feel all of his pride. I felt like he wanted me to be part of his team.
He always wanted the best for us. To say my father was generous is obvious. He wanted to take care of everyone, even the people he didn’t know. And his humility always impresses me. He remained to himself despite all the attention given to him. (…) My dad wasn’t perfect, but he did everything he could to make us happy he testified, while taking the time to thank the supporters who supported his father until the end .
Guy Lafleur’s sister -in -law Francine Barré greeted the other one lived his life as he played hockey, with passion, determination and passion .
We have been part of the same family for 50 years and we have never been to a restaurant or any place without asking for their autograph. And he always signs, taking the time to address a few words to each person. One can recognize his generosity.
Guy made his way. It was a rough diamond that no one could polish and I applied my hat to him for that. Like all of you, I will remember his great hockey player, his natural skating, his smile and his flying hair. But most of all, I will remember being a humble, generous, righteous and honest person. he underlined, with joy, sensitivity and depth.
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Geoff Molson, Yvan Cournoyer, Larry Robinson, Guy Carbonneau and Patrick Roy also parked the microphone, each telling how much they were touched by Guy Lafleur’s talent, humility, generosity and charisma, admired them and influenced their careers. .
Larry Robinson was drafted after Guy Lafleur, in the second round of the June 1971 draft. He was also across the street 51 years ago. He gave his address in both languages, a mark of delicacy which Cardinal Lacroix, judging by his admiring gaze, seemed to appreciate.
Guy says you have to play every day like it’s your last. Not only did he play full time in every game, but he also lived perfectly off the ice. I want to thank everyone who is here today to celebrate the life of this amazing person he launched.
Patrick Roy argued that social networks have revealed in the last ten days that half of Quebecers, including former NHL players, have a picture of themselves with Guy Lafleur.
In his eyes, it testified extraordinary generosity, generosity, authenticity, deep respect for the fans, willingness to give back, concern for others and willingness to accept, with people, that moment that makes all the difference .
Ginette Reno for her part made the pillars of the cathedral vibrate by interpretation The important .
If the words of this wonderful song are right and the main thing is to really love, Guy Lafleur has made a flawless course in his very short stay with us.
Source: Radio-Canada
