Guy Lafleur: Former teammates remember Habs great

MONTREAL –

It has been 37 years since Man Lafleur final performed for the Montreal Canadiens, however it was his identify that followers chanted earlier than the staff took to the ice Sunday.

For 10 minutes, Habs followers gave Lafleur, who died Friday at age 70, a standing ovation, as cheers of “Man, Man, Man!” combined with chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole!” and “Go Habs Go!”

Twice, the sport’s announcer started to say one thing, solely to let followers maintain cheering. Lastly, he requested the followers to be quiet for a second of silence in honour of Lafleur.

It was a combination of sombre and celebration because the Canadiens marked the passing of one among their greats.

Photos of Lafleur’s youth have been projected on the ice, earlier than movies of his time with the Habs have been proven on the world’s display screen to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s “My Method.”

Whereas there was video of Lafleur’s biggest targets, with an important objective in opposition to Boston — the staff the Habs confronted Sunday — in a Stanley Cup last drawing the most important cheer.

However there have been additionally photographs of “The Flower” lifting up the Stanley Cup — he received 5 with Montreal — and taking part within the victory parades that have been an everyday occasion in Montreal throughout his time with the staff.

“We should always remember enjoying hockey is not a job, it is a sport, now we have to have enjoyable,” Lafleur stated in one of many clips. “And win as a lot as potential.”

On the boards, the standard advertisements have been changed by a easy tribute to Lafleur: his identify, his quantity, his signature and the years of life — 1951 to 2022.

Yvan Cournoyer, who performed with Lafleur between 1971 and 1979, advised reporters he knew there was one thing particular about Lafleur from the second he joined the Habs.

“I received 5 Stanley Cups earlier than he arrived, I stated, I inform you there’s one thing with this man, I am gonna win extra Stanley Cups and I used to be proper,” Cournoyer stated, a black button with Man’s No. 10 on his lapel.

Cournoyer stated that whereas anybody may see what number of targets Lafleur scored, it was his buddy he would bear in mind.

“You do not neglect a man like Man, I am speaking in regards to the man,” Cournoyer stated, describing Lafleur as somebody who deserved his recognition. “He loves everyone, everyone loves him.”

Chris Nilan, who performed with Montreal between 1980 and 1988, stated Lafleur helped him really feel like he belonged on the staff when he first joined, skating with him earlier than his first follow with the staff.

“The 2 of us skated collectively on the ice, simply me and Man, it was unbelievable. We handed pucks, he gave me some tips about taking pictures, I by no means fairly obtained the shot that Man had, however he tried. I am going to always remember that day, it was so particular for me,” he stated.

“He at all times handled me with respect, by no means lower than. Some stars, they put themselves on one other degree, sort of on a pedestal, not Man, he by no means seemed down on me,” Nilan stated. “Simply an superior man.”

Earlier than the ceremony, followers gathered in entrance of statue of Lafleur exterior the world.

Fan Danielle Lessard, who laid a bouquet of flowers in entrance of the statue, stated Lafleur remained her favorite participant lengthy after he stopped enjoying.

As a toddler, she stated she wrote to Lafleur and he despatched again a card and autograph.

For her it was the “the pace, the class,” of his play that she beloved.

“You could possibly rely on him. You knew he would rating that objective.”

A nationwide funeral for Lafleur is scheduled for Might 3, Quebec’s premier stated earlier on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 24, 2022.