Key Takeaways:
- The “Flower,” a 14-year member of the Montreal Canadiens during the 1970s and 1980s, helped the team win five Stanley Cup trophies.
- The Quebec government announced that Lafleur would be honored with a national funeral reserved for Quebecers who have made significant contributions to the province.
Habs fans will say their final goodbyes to Guy Lafleur, who will lie in state at Montreal’s Bell Centre.
The Montreal Canadiens legend, dubbed “the Flower,” was a 14-year member during the 1970s and 1980s and helped the team win five Stanley Cup trophies. He is still the Habs’ all-time leading scorer.
Lafleur passed on April 22 at the age of 70, after a long battle with lung cancer.
“The Lafleur family has decided to share their grief with the community out of respect for those who have supported Guy. And also, to the family’s wishes, all events will reflect the late hockey legend’s image: they will be humble and approachable. “Last week, the Montreal Canadians released a statement.
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On Sunday, thousands of fans gathered outside the Bell Centre to pay their respects to the hockey legend. Many of the sweaters in the long line were emblazoned with #10, Lafleur’s number. On Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m., members of the public were able to pay their respects, and on Monday, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will be able to do so.
Barry Weedmark, a long-time fan, told CTV News that Lafleur was his childhood hero and met him once in 1995.
Another fan from Lafleur’s hometown of Thurso said that seeing Lafleur’s name and image around town was “an honor” and that Lafleur was always spreading happiness.
On Sunday, Quebec Premier Francois Legault paid a visit to Lafleur’s grave.
“I remember scenes I had with my father, observing the game as well as hearing the crowd say ‘Guy Guy Guy,'” he stated. “That was something, that was something.”
It was a chant frequently heard in the crowd gathered outside the Bell Centre, waiting for their chance to say their goodbyes.
One father in the audience expressed his desire to pass on that emotion and admiration to his children.
“My father told me about him,” the CTV News fan said. “He was a superstar of his time, an incredible idol for the entire country.”
Last weekend, Legault announced that the Quebec government would honor Lafleur with a national funeral reserved for Quebecers who have made significant contributions to the province.
“Of course, it’s sad. He had only been 70 years old. It’s frightening because I’m 64 years old, “On Sunday afternoon, he told reporters at the Bell Centre. “My father died when I was young. He was just 59 years old at the time. So, at the same time, I recall watching Guy Lafleur with my father and hearing the crowd chanting ‘Guy, Guy, Guy!'”
The funeral is on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.
The Canadiens did not make the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, but they finished the season on a high note, scoring 10 goals against the Florida Panthers on Friday night – the number on the back of Lafleur’s jersey.
“We had ten goals on Friday night. Some speculated that it was because of Guy Lafleur. Everything with the number 10 is now Guy Lafleur, “Legault explained.
Source: CTV News
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