‘The best hockey player’
Quebecers, Canadiens pay tribute to Guy Lafleur
“He said one day you have to play every game like your last, and no one incarnated that philosophy more than Guy — both on and off the ice.”
Larry Robinson
Talking about former teammate Guy Lafleur
With fans in Montreal Canadiens' jerseys applauding from across the street, the body of Guy Lafleur arrived at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in downtown Montreal, where a national funeral for the hockey great was held Tuesday.
Some people chanted “Guy! Guy! Guy!” as the hearse approached the cathedral.
They applauded again as seven pallbearers — including Lafleur's two sons and his former teammates Yvan Cournoyer, Pierre Bouchard, Guy Lapointe, Mario Tremblay and Yvon Lambert — carried the coffin, covered in a Montreal Canadiens' flag, up the steps to the main entrance of the church on René-Lévesque Blvd.
“Today is the day to say thank you to Guy Lafleur for everything he gave us over so many years,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said as he entered the church with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. “All the wins, all the inspiration, the incredible games he played. But also his deep humanity, his contributions to the world around him was legendary and an inspiration to us all.”
“He was the best hockey player and we were so proud that a guy coming from here was the best player in the world,” Quebec Premier François Legault said.
Lafleur, who was born in Thurso, Que., played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League, including 14 with the Montreal Canadiens. He won five Stanley Cups, the Hart Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, the Art Ross Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. His number – 10 – has been retired by the Montreal Canadiens.
Attending the funeral were several former Habs, including Larry Robinson, Patrick Roy, Guy Carbonneau and Serge Savard, former Canadiens' general manager Marc Bergevin and Élise Béliveau, wife of Jean Béliveau. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance, as well as Canadiens' owner Geoff Molson.
“Guy was a humble, simple person with an enormous capacity for love,” Molson said. “When we asked Guy to help us in our community mission, he always accepted.”
Habs' announcer Michel Lacroix introduced the speakers at the funeral, who also included former team captain Cournoyer.
“Thank you Sam Pollock for drafting Guy Lafleur. It allowed us, the players and the fans … to win five Stanley Cups,” Cournoyer said. “To all of Guy's family, Lise, Mark, Martin and Madame Lafleur, the last years were hard. Lise, Guy loved you very much.”
Former Habs' goalie Patrick Roy recalled Lafleur as a hero.
“In the 1970s, all the young hockey players dreamed of being Guy Lafleur, but I dreamed of being Ken Dryden, so I could play with Guy Lafleur,” Roy said.
He recalled his first game with Lafleur, where the hockey star tapped him on his pads and said “Hé le kid, bienvenue à l'équipe.”
“He was the best player in the league,” Savard said, but added that Lafleur was also remarkable off the ice. “He was a great, humble superstar.”
Robinson described Lafleur was an incredible, irreplaceable person.
“He played every game to his maximum, and lived his life to the maximum off the ice,” Robinson said, adding he could talk for hours about his friend.
“He said one day you have to play every game like your last, and no one incarnated that philosophy more than Guy — both on and off the ice.”
Carbonneau said Lafleur was truly proud to represent the Canadiens.
“He was a superstar, but also one of the boys,” Carbonneau said.
Lafleur's son, Martin, said his father always took care of his family despite his numerous engagements. He recalled how his father would take him to the Forum and would do the same when he played for the New York Rangers and the Quebec Nordiques.
“I remember his perseverance and not just in hockey,” his son said. “He was proud of us even when we went through difficult times as a family. He always wanted the best for me, my brother and my family.”
Quebec singer Ginette Reno sang L'Essentiel during the funeral service.
After the ceremony ended, Frank Sinatra's My Way played as the pallbearers carried Lafleur's coffin to the hearse. Hundreds of people who gathered outside the cathedral for the funeral ceremony applauded, with a few taking up the “Guy! Guy! Guy!” chant again.
A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jet flew overhead as the funeral procession prepared to leave the cathedral.
An area was set up outside the cathedral for people to watch the funeral, which was broadcast on two giant screens.
Lafleur died of lung cancer on April 22 at the age of 70.
Several downtown streets around the cathedral were closing during the funeral, including Peel St., Avenue des Canadiens and René-Lévesque Blvd.
Flags at the National Assembly in Quebec City were at half mast Tuesday. The Champlain Bridge was lit up in Habs' colours Tuesday night to honour Lafleur.
Thousands of people went to the Bell Centre Sunday and Monday to pay tribute to Lafleur, who was the Habs' alltime leading scorer.
Lafleur is survived by his wife, Lise, his sons Mark and Martin, his granddaughter Sienna-Rose, and his mother, Pierrette.
He is also survived by his sisters Lise, Gisèle, Suzanne and Lucie.