Guy Lafleur



Guy Damien Lafleur OC CQ (September 20, 1951 – April 22, 2022) was a former professional ice hockey player and is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey. Between 1971 and 1991, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques in an NHL career spanning 17 seasons and five Stanley Cup championships.

Sourced

 * Everybody skated and played hockey. When I was five, Dad gave me a heavy box for Christmas. When I opened it, there was only a piece of wood. I was so mad! Then he gave me another box, and the skates were there. Dad used to build a rink behind our house every winter. That's where I started playing hockey. From the time I was seven, I used to sleep in all my equipment. That way, I was ready to play in the morning.
 * Quoted in Kevin Shea, "One on One with Guy Lafleur," Legends of Hockey.net (2003-03-16)
 * It was tough going to school in the day and traveling to games at night. Sometimes we would get back about midnight. I never went to dances or hung around with girls. Hockey was the first thing.
 * Quoted in Kevin Shea, "One on One with Guy Lafleur," Legends of Hockey.net (2003-03-16)
 * Individual records are nice to get, but before the season starts, you want to play to win the Stanley Cup!
 * Quoted in Kevin Shea, "One on One with Guy Lafleur," Legends of Hockey.net (2003-03-16)

About

 * It may be that everywhere else in the world, the ascendance of Flower Power began and ended in the sixties, Mr. Speaker, but in Montreal it began in 1971 and ended yesterday when Guy Lafleur retired. This is the end of a great era, Mr. Speaker. I am certain that the House and the entire population of Canada will join me in wishing him good luck in the future and thanking him for the unforgettable moments he has given us.
 * Canadian MP Lorne Nystrom comments on Lafleur's retirement, in the House of Commons.
 * Quoted in Kevin Shea, "One on One with Guy Lafleur," Legends of Hockey.net (2003-03-16)