“He allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride” – Montreal Canadiens ice hockey legend Guy Lafleur dies at 70

Guy Lafleur

Montreal Canadiens icon Guy Lafleur, who guided the team to as many as five Stanley Cup championships in the 1970s, died at 70 on Friday. The cause of death hasn’t been provided yet but Lafleur had earlier revealed his most recent right lung cancer diagnosis in October 2020. He previously had a cancerous lobe removed from his left lung in 2019.

It’s been a long, emotional day for many of us. I leave you tonight with Guy Lafleur and the Stanley Cup at his home last June. For Flower, his final time with the trophy was most special for his granddaughter, and to raise cancer-research money for the Guy Lafleur Fund. pic.twitter.com/w86odfqtzG
— Dave Stubbs ?? (@Dave_Stubbs) April 23, 2022

The entire Canadiens organization mourned on this unfortunate day as they issued an official statement on the same.

“It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Guy Lafleur. All members of our organization are deeply touched by his departure. Guy Lafleur has had an exceptional career and he has always remained simple, accessible and close to fans and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada and around the world.

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“Throughout his career, he has allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride. He was one of the greatest players in our organization while becoming an extraordinary ambassador for our sport,” underlined the president and owner of the Club de hockey Canadien, Mr Geoff Molson, as quoted by NHL.com.

“Lafleur was remarkably talented”

The National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman also expressed his grief while talking about the contribution of the former Canadian ice hockey player.

“You didn’t need to see Guy Lafleur’s name and number on his sweater when ‘The Flower’ had the puck on his stick,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release.

“As distinctively stylish as he was remarkably talented, Lafleur cut a dashing and unmistakable figure whenever he blazed down the ice of the Montreal Forum, his long blond locks flowing in his wake as he prepared to rifle another puck past a helpless goaltender — or set up a linemate for a goal.”