BREAKING: Quebec Icon Dies at Age 70
In a devastating blow to the entire hockey community, we mourn the loss of the original «Flower», Guy Lafleur, who finally succumbed to his battle with lung cancer. He was 70 years old.
Also known as «Le Démon Blond», Lafleur had a plethora of fantastic records. He was the first player in the NHL to score 50 goals for six consecutive seasons, as well as 50 goals plus 100 points in six consecutive seasons. He won 5 Stanley Cups with the Montréal Canadiens and, at the time, was only the second player to return from retirement after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The first being Gordie Howe.
Even today, he still holds the Canadiens' record for points (1,246), assists (728), and game-winning goals (94).
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/771885123880/
In a shocking manner fit for his flashy style, Guy left the game as noticeably as he'd entered. In response to a trade denial, he retired merely weeks into the 1984 season at age 33. He was inducted into the HoH in 1988 and was confined by Phil Esposito of the New York Rangers to return to the NHL. His second round was short lived, and after playing 1 year with New York, and 2 with his hometown Quebec Nordiques, he retired for a second and final time after the 1991 season.
Lafleur is survived by his two sons, and his wife, and is immortalized by his statue outside of Montréal's Bell Centre arena, and inside by his number 10 that was retired by the Canadiens in 1985. It was the 6th number ever retired by the franchise.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 22 | 222 ANSWERS BREAKING: Quebec Icon Dies at Age 70 If Guy Lafleur hadn't retired at age 33, would he have won another Stanley Cup? | ||
| Yes | 72 | 32.4 % |
| Yes, with the Canadiens | 53 | 23.9 % |
| Yes with New York | 31 | 14 % |
| No, he did the right thing | 66 | 29.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
