‘The best hockey player’: Quebecers, Canadiens pay tribute to Guy Lafleur

Article content material

It’s uncommon that 1000’s of Canadiens followers are as silent as they had been on Tuesday morning.

Article content material

However those that gathered downtown to pay their final respects to Man Lafleur appeared overwhelmed to see their hero mendacity in state at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral for a Quebec national funeral.

Their silence was damaged by chants of “Man! Man! Man!” as Lafleur’s coffin was positioned again within the hearse on its strategy to its ultimate resting spot. On the doorways of the church, Lafleur’s widow Lise wiped a tear from her eye. Then — clutching the Canadiens flag that was draped on his coffin — she touched her coronary heart and waved, as if to thank the followers for his or her love over time. Frank Sinatra’s My Means performed within the background.

Inside, the message from Lafleur’s household was clear: the love affair was a two-way road.

“There was no barrier between him and the general public,” sister-in-law Francine Barré mentioned throughout the ceremony. “It by no means occurred that we might go to a restaurant or go to anywhere with out somebody asking for an autograph, and he at all times had the identical gratitude to individuals. He would signal and have a couple of phrases with everybody he met.”

Article content material

Lafleur’s son Martin mentioned the assist was as vital to his dad because it was to the entire household.

“I wish to thank all of the followers who supported my dad from the start proper to the top,” he mentioned. “You’re marvellous.”

He added that his father “wished to care for everybody, even these he didn’t know,” however nonetheless had time to make sure his household was effectively taken care of.

“He liked being with us.”

Lafleur died of lung cancer on April 22 on the age of 70.

Born in Thurso, Que., Lafleur performed 17 seasons within the Nationwide Hockey League, together with 14 with the Montreal Canadiens. He gained 5 Stanley Cups, the Hart Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, the Artwork Ross Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy, and is a member of the Hockey Corridor of Fame. His quantity, 10, has been retired by the Canadiens.

Article content material

“I’ve a tragic coronary heart right this moment,” mentioned Sébastien Martin, who watched the ceremony standing behind a steel road divider. “For me, he’ll at all times stay. His spirit will at all times stay on.”

Over the previous couple of days, 1000’s of followers have paid homage to Lafleur, first over two days whereas he lay in state at the Bell Centre, and once more with Tuesday’s ultimate farewell. They spoke not simply of his accolades, or the targets and assists that made him the Canadiens’ all-time main scorer. Largely, they remembered his personal touch with followers, and the way he handled every one as household.

“As we speak is the day to say thanks to Man Lafleur for the whole lot he gave us over so a few years,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned as he entered the cathedral along with his spouse, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, on Tuesday. “All of the wins, all of the inspiration, the unimaginable video games he performed. But additionally his deep humanity; his contributions to the world round him had been legendary and an inspiration to us all.”

Article content material

“He was the perfect hockey participant, and we had been so proud {that a} man coming from right here was the perfect participant on the planet,” Quebec Premier François Legault mentioned.

Followers arrived hours earlier than the funeral started, lining René-Lévesque Blvd. over three blocks to absorb the ceremony, which was broadcast on two big screens on both sides of the cathedral.

They watched in respectful silence because the funeral cortège made its method from the Bell Centre a couple of blocks away.

Then they cheered Lafleur’s title and applauded as seven pallbearers — together with his two sons and former teammates Yvan Cournoyer, Pierre Bouchard, Man Lapointe, Mario Tremblay and Yvon Lambert — carried the coffin, draped in a Canadiens flag, up the steps to the primary entrance of the church.

Article content material

Amongst these attending the funeral had been a number of former Habs, together with Larry Robinson, Patrick Roy, Man Carbonneau and Serge Savard, former Canadiens normal supervisor Marc Bergevin and Élise Béliveau, spouse of Jean Béliveau. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was additionally in attendance, in addition to Canadiens proprietor Geoff Molson.

“Man was a humble, easy particular person with an unlimited capability for love,” Molson mentioned. “After we requested Man to assist us in our neighborhood mission, he at all times accepted.”

Talking to reporters earlier than the funeral, Robinson mentioned that whereas Lafleur was liked by his followers, he was additionally a lovable teammate.

“I bear in mind we had a giant sport and he was within the locker room. He slammed his stick on a pop can to make a noise and get our consideration. Then I bear in mind him saying, ‘OK everybody, pay attention up: we all know why we’re all right here, don’t we?’ And I used to be ready for him to say one thing philosophical, however as an alternative he mentioned, ‘It’s as a result of we didn’t wish to go to highschool.’ ”

Article content material

Fittingly, the ceremony was MCed by longtime Habs announcer Michel Lacroix. He launched the audio system on the funeral, who included former group captain Cournoyer.

“Thanks Sam Pollock for drafting Man Lafleur. It allowed us, the gamers and the followers … to win 5 Stanley Cups,” Cournoyer mentioned. “To all of Man’s household, Lise, Mark, Martin and Madame Lafleur, the final years had been exhausting. Lise, Man liked you very a lot.”

Former Habs goalie Roy recalled Lafleur as a hero.

Toggle full display screen mode Earlier Gallery Picture

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 

37. 

Subsequent Gallery Picture Toggle gallery captions

All 37 Images for Gallery

Operate Not Accessible

Full Display isn’t supported on this browser model.

You could use a unique browser or gadget to view this in full display screen.

OK

Article content material

“Within the Seventies, all of the younger hockey gamers dreamed of being Man Lafleur, however I dreamed of being Ken Dryden, so I might play with Man Lafleur,” Roy mentioned.

He recalled his first sport with Lafleur, the place the hockey star tapped him on his pads and mentioned, “Hé le child, bienvenue à l’équipe.”

Article content material

Carbonneau mentioned Lafleur was actually proud to signify the Canadiens.

“He was a famous person, but additionally one of many boys,” he mentioned.

Quebec singer Ginette Reno sang L’Essentiel throughout the funeral service.

A Royal Canadian Air Drive CF-18 fighter jet flew overhead because the funeral procession ready to depart the cathedral.

Article content material

Article content material

Flags on the Nationwide Meeting in Quebec Metropolis had been at half-mast Tuesday. The Champlain Bridge was to be lit up in Habs colors Tuesday evening to honour Lafleur.

Lafleur is survived by his spouse Lise, his sons Mark and Martin, his granddaughter Sienna-Rose, his mom Pierrette and his sisters Lise, Gisèle, Suzanne and Lucie.

Presse Canadienne contributed to this report.