Title says it all. I remember watching him in the 1970s. What a super player he was.
RIP Guy Lafleur
- Thread starter wawa
- Start date
Guy Lafleur was the NHL's top player for a period of time in the late 70s...
RIP, was a heavy smoker
He struggled in his first few seasons, appeared to be a bust, then he went helmet less, ("gotta change my luck" , he said) let the blonde locks flow in the wind and became a superstar, He was the first player to score 50 goals for 6 consecutive seasons.
He was a deceptively fast skater, had a "cannonading" slap shot:
He struggled in his first few seasons, appeared to be a bust, then he went helmet less, ("gotta change my luck" , he said) let the blonde locks flow in the wind and became a superstar, He was the first player to score 50 goals for 6 consecutive seasons.
He was a deceptively fast skater, had a "cannonading" slap shot:
My goodness what a great clip - to hear Danny Gallivan again..."gingerly" lol....what a treat. The man was poetry. And Don Cherry, Scottie Bowman, Biiiigg Rooooobinsoooonnnn, and of course the great Guy Lafleur in his prime in the old Forum...when hockey was hockey. RIP Guy.
Damn RIP to the Flower. That's two legends gone is such a short time frame. Wow.
I remember when the struggling Nordiques brought Guy in to help mentor the youngbloods - Sakic, Nolan and Sundin. They were all better for it. Capped off his brilliant career.
I remember when the struggling Nordiques brought Guy in to help mentor the youngbloods - Sakic, Nolan and Sundin. They were all better for it. Capped off his brilliant career.
Met Lafleur when he was doing his Ambassador work for Montreal in 2008. He was travelling on his 50' Sea Ray Yacht through the Rideau Canal with his wife and dog. I was at one of the Lockstations when he was locking up on his way to Merrickville. He was gracious and kind and we had nice conversation. I remember asking him what he thought of the players of that period (2008) and he said the problem was a lack of respect for each other that was there when he played.
Also remember Don Cherry saying that the best player he ever saw was Bobby Orr but the most exciting was Guy Lafleur.
Also remember Don Cherry saying that the best player he ever saw was Bobby Orr but the most exciting was Guy Lafleur.
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Very exciting player to watch. I remember being on the edge of my seat whenever he was on the ice. For 5 years or so he was widely considered the best hockey player in the world until Gretzky took over. He was naturally gifted. He did very little off-ice conditioning and did not take care of himself. He smoked and stayed out late. Gretzky's ascention was going to happen no matter what, but Guy would have remained all-star calibre for several more years than he did had he taken better care of himself. Thanks for the memories Guy!
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That is true he would have been even better for longer had he taken care of his body. But that seemed to be the norm back then, off the ice they lived hard. Salming was another.
Wow this is hard to take. My hero as a 8 year old kid up to now.
Saw him often at the old forum.
Met him a few times after his career. Spoke with him at his Mikes restaurant in Berthieville. He was helping tending the bar.
Great humble guy.
I was there at the Forum when he had the longest standing ovation for scoring a goal... as a New York Rangers!!!
Saw him often at the old forum.
Met him a few times after his career. Spoke with him at his Mikes restaurant in Berthieville. He was helping tending the bar.
Great humble guy.
I was there at the Forum when he had the longest standing ovation for scoring a goal... as a New York Rangers!!!
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From 1976-1983, Lafleur and Bossy won 8 consecutive between the 2 of them
Very sad news.
Guy Lafleur (Le Demon Blond) was my hockey idol back in the day. A very exciting player to watch.
Guy Lafleur (Le Demon Blond) was my hockey idol back in the day. A very exciting player to watch.
I agree hard living off the ice was more common back then. It's sad though. He had such a rare gift and it would have been nice to enjoy it longer.
Wayne Cashman was asked his most memorable moment of Guy. "I have been trying to forget my most memorable moment of Guy since 1979!!!"
He never played with Nolan. He was drafted after he had retired.
Sundin was not there when he signed with Quebec.
The primary motivation to bring him in was not to mentor although I am sure he did some of that in his second year when Sundin arrived and after Stastny and Goulet were traded away after his first year in Quebec. It was more done in an attempt by Quebec to stick it to Montreal.
The Initial Lafleur departure from Montreal was unfortunately ugly but they were able to reconcile it shortly after he retired for the second time.
I've read that he used to show up hours before a game just to get in the moment I presume.
In practice he was always the first on the ice and the last off it.
As a diehard Hab fan in those days sometimes it was more important for me to see him score a goal than have the team win.
Dick Irvin once said he scored goals when the team needed them the most. He said in a blowout he wouldn't necessarily dominate the scoresheet but in a close game against a heated rival he was always there.
Expect the city and the team to give him a royal send off. This might even surpass Maurice Richard. Depending what the covid restrictions are in Quebec right now.
In practice he was always the first on the ice and the last off it.
As a diehard Hab fan in those days sometimes it was more important for me to see him score a goal than have the team win.
Dick Irvin once said he scored goals when the team needed them the most. He said in a blowout he wouldn't necessarily dominate the scoresheet but in a close game against a heated rival he was always there.
Expect the city and the team to give him a royal send off. This might even surpass Maurice Richard. Depending what the covid restrictions are in Quebec right now.
