Guy Lafleur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Guy Lafleur
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1988
Lafleur in 2013
Born	(1951-09-20)September 20, 1951 Thurso, Quebec, Canada
Died	April 22, 2022(2022-04-22) (aged 70) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Montreal Canadiens New York Rangers Quebec Nordiques
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	1st overall, 1971 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1971–1985 1988–1991

Guy Damien Lafleur (September 20, 1951 – April 22, 2022), known as "The Flower" or "Le Démon Blond" (The Blond Demon), was a famous Canadian ice hockey player. He played as a right wing. Guy Lafleur was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in six seasons in a row. He also scored 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons.

From 1971 to 1991, Lafleur played for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques. His NHL career lasted 17 seasons. He won five Stanley Cup championships with the Canadiens in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' of all time.

Early Life and Hockey Dreams

Guy Lafleur was born on September 20, 1951, in Thurso, Quebec, Canada. He started playing hockey when he was just five years old. His first hockey stick was a Christmas gift.

As a young player, he joined the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament three times. He played there from 1962 to 1964. He set a tournament record by scoring 64 points. In his teenage years, Lafleur became well-known playing for the Quebec Remparts. This team was part of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He helped his team win the Memorial Cup in 1971. That season, he scored an amazing 130 goals. Lafleur looked up to hockey legends Jean Béliveau and Bobby Orr.

In the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, Guy Lafleur was one of the top players. The Montreal Canadiens chose him as the first player picked overall.

Playing for the Montreal Canadiens

When Guy Lafleur first joined the NHL, it was a bit tough. People had very high hopes for him. But by 1974, he found his famous smooth skating style and amazing scoring touch. He quickly became one of the most loved players on the team. Fans would cheer "Guy, Guy, Guy!" every time he touched the puck.

He was called "Flower" by English-speaking fans because of his last name. French fans called him "le Démon Blond," which means "the Blond Demon."

Lafleur was a key player for the Canadiens. He helped them win five Stanley Cup championships. After winning the Stanley Cup in 1978, he secretly took the Cup home for the weekend. He wanted to show it to his friends in Thurso. He even put it on his front lawn for all his neighbors to see!

In 1979, Guy Lafleur released an album called Lafleur!. It featured him giving hockey tips with disco music playing.

After the 1979 season, some important players retired. The Canadiens' winning streak ended. Lafleur's 1980–81 season was shorter due to injuries. His scoring numbers also went down. He had been scoring over 100 points and 50 goals for six seasons in a row.

In March 1981, Lafleur was in a car accident. He was okay, but it affected his season. He only played 51 games and scored 27 goals. This was the first time in many years he didn't score 50 goals.

First Retirement

By the 1984–85 season, Lafleur was not happy with his coach, Jacques Lemaire. Lemaire wanted all players to focus on defense. But Lafleur was known for his offense and scoring goals. This difference in ideas caused problems between them.

Lafleur asked to be traded to another team. But the team's general manager, Serge Savard, said no. Trading such a popular player would have upset many fans. So, Lafleur decided to retire from hockey.

Return to the NHL

After being honored in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Guy Lafleur decided to play hockey again. He returned to the NHL for three more seasons. He played from 1988 to 1991. He played for the New York Rangers and the Quebec Nordiques. Lafleur was one of the few players who didn't have to wear a helmet. This was because of an old rule called a "grandfather clause." It meant players who started before a certain year didn't have to follow the new helmet rule.

In his first game back in Montreal, fans gave him a huge cheer. They chanted "Guy! Guy! Guy!" just like in his earlier days. He even scored two goals against Patrick Roy, a famous goalie. His time with the Rangers was good, and he helped the team.

Lafleur then joined the Quebec Nordiques. He wanted to finish his career in Quebec, where he started. He even turned down a big offer from the Los Angeles Kings. He played 98 games for the Nordiques over two seasons. He helped guide young player Joe Sakic, who became a superstar.

Lafleur decided to retire for good in 1991.

Amazing Achievements

The Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens locker room display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Guy Lafleur is the all-time top scorer in Montreal Canadiens history. He scored 1,246 points (518 goals and 728 assists) in his 14 years with the team. He led the NHL in points in 1976, 1977, and 1978. He holds the Canadiens' record for most points in a season with 136 in 1976–77.

Lafleur was the first player in NHL history to score at least 50 goals and 100 points in six seasons in a row. He was also one of the fastest players to reach 1,000 points. He did it in just 720 games. Later, other players like Wayne Gretzky broke this record.

He was part of the Canadian team that won the Canada Cup in 1976. In 1977, he won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete.

On February 16, 1985, the Montreal Canadiens retired Lafleur's jersey number. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. Lafleur was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. He also joined the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Guy Lafleur is one of only three players to return to the NHL after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The others are Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux. He still holds the record for most career points and assists for the Canadiens. He is also second in goals, behind Maurice "Rocket" Richard.

In 1980, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2005, he became a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. The Guy Lafleur Award of Excellence was created in his honor in 1985. In 2017, the NHL named him one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

Awards

• 5x Stanley Cup champion (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
• 3x Art Ross Trophy winner (1976, 1977, 1978)
• 2x Hart Memorial Trophy winner (1977, 1978)
• 3x Lester B. Pearson Award winner (1976, 1977, 1978)
• 6x First-Team All-Star Right Winger (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981)
• 1x Conn Smythe Trophy winner (1977)
• Molson Cup winner 7x, (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982)

After Retirement

Guy Lafleur (right) conducting a ceremonial faceoff before an American Hockey League game in 2013.

After retiring from hockey, Guy Lafleur started a helicopter rental company in Montreal. He also owned a restaurant called "Guy Lafleur Mikes Signature." Later, he opened another restaurant called "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!"

From 2005 to 2008, Lafleur was an honorary colonel for an air force unit in Quebec. In 2013, he became an honorary colonel for a larger air force group.

In 2019, Lafleur began to have health problems. He had heart surgery and later battled cancer. He passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 70.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

See also

In Spanish: Guy Lafleur para niños

• List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• List of NHL statistical leaders

Images for kids

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  A replica Guy Lafleur jersey at the Montreal Canadiens locker room display in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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  Statue of Guy Lafleur located at the entrance of the Bell Centre in Montreal.