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10 highlights of Guy Lafleur’s glorious career

2022-05-31 12:07:15 Updated on 2022-05-31 21:24:07

Guy Lafleur passed away today at the age of 70. The Blonde Demon is without a doubt the most famous field hockey player to have worn the number 10 in NHL history. Ironically, Lafleur was already making headlines when he was...10 years old. Here's a look back at his glorious career.

The young sensation of the Quebec City Pee-Wee tournament

In 1962, the young sensation from Thurso, in western Quebec, won the title of best player at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament at the age of only 10. Already in the news for his explosive skating and blistering shot, Lafleur is drawing crowds at the Colisée de Québec.

The Quebec Remparts' superstar

The love affair between Guy Lafleur and Quebec City continued throughout the 1960s. Outclassed, he first played in a junior B league with the Quebec Canadian Tire in 1966-1967, then joined the Quebec Jr. Finally, he graduated with the Quebec Remparts in 1969. He quickly became the best player in the QMJHL. He scored 103 goals in his rookie season, then 130 goals in his second season and was the hero in the Remparts' Memorial Cup win in 1970-71.

The story behind his selection with the Canadiens

Quebecers could continue to worship Guy Lafleur as he became the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft. The Montreal Canadiens, who wanted Lafleur at all costs, had previously traded with the California Golden Seals for their first pick. The Canadiens' GM, Sam Pollock, had high hopes that the California organization would finish last in the NHL in the 70-71 season. And Pollock won his bet. The Canadiens selected Lafleur, just ahead of his compatriot Marcel Dionne, who was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings.

The expected arrival of Jean Beliveau's successor

The arrival of Guy Lafleur with the Montreal Canadiens coincided with the retirement of Jean Béliveau, then the best scorer in the history of the Canadiens. All the spotlights in Montreal, one of the biggest field hockey markets, were on the Blond Demon. He was seen as the successor to Big Bill. In his first season, he scored 29 goals and 35 assists and finished third among NHL rookies, after Marcel Dionne and Richard Martin. His production stagnated a bit during the next two seasons with respective productions of 55 and 56 points. The Canadiens did win a Stanley Cup, which puts Lafleur's individual performances in the spotlight.

The blond demon blossoms

In his fourth season, at the age of 23, Guy Lafleur revealed himself as one of the best players in the NHL. He scored 53 goals and amassed 119 points. He terrorized opposing goaltenders in the following seasons. He scored more than 50 goals in six consecutive seasons. He won three Art-Ross Trophies for the top scorer, two Hart Trophies for the best player in the regular season and a Conn-Smythe for the best player in the playoffs.

Guy Lafleur

Legendary hockey player Guy Lafleur passed away from lung cancer on April 22. The leading scorer in Montreal Canadiens history was 70 years old.

Five Stanley Cups, including four in a row

Guy Lafleur is associated with the last dynasty of the Montreal Canadiens. In addition to the unexpected 1973 Cup, the team led by Lafleur won four Stanley Cups in a row, from 1974-1975 to 1978-1979. The New York Islanders, led by another recently departed Mike Bossy, would also take the torch by becoming the league's powerhouse at the turn of the 1980s.

The decline and a first retirement

After six consecutive 50-goal seasons, Guy Lafleur's production began to decline in 1980-81, although it remained above average. The bad tongues say that Lafleur did not always take his career on the ice seriously. After four seasons of less than 30 goals, Lafleur went on a tear in 1984. After 19 games under his former teammate Jacques Lemaire, who advocated a defensive system, he had only 5 points, including 2 goals. On November 9, 1984, at the age of 33, Lafleur caused consternation when he announced his premature retirement from field hockey. His number 10 jersey was retired a few months later by the Canadiens.

A successful comeback with the Rangers

Guy Lafleur has not finished surprising people. After a three-year absence, at the age of 37, he signed a contract with the New York Rangers, then managed by Michel Bergeron. The blond Demon surprised by scoring 45 points in 67 games. When he returned to the Montreal Forum, the crowd had never cherished an opposing team so much, chanting the traditional "Guy, Guy, Guy". He collected two goals and an assist and was awarded the second star, much to the delight of the crowd.

Back where it all began

After a season with the Rangers, Guy Lafleur returned to Quebec City, where it all began for him in 1989, to don the Nordiques jersey. This is a consolation prize for the Quebecers, as the Nordiques are in a major rebuilding process. He played two seasons with the Fleurdelysés, scoring 34 and 28 points respectively. The love affair with the Quebecers ended well for Lafleur. He scored his last NHL goal on March 30, against none other than the Montreal Canadiens at the Forum. The next day, Quebec City threw him a big party for his last game. Lafleur ended his NHL career with a total of 1,353 points, which places him 26th among the league's all-time leading scorers.