background: #0076b8 none repeat scroll 0 0; $315.24. Guy Lafleurs 17-year NHL career spanned from 1971 until 1991. In 1962, Lafleur was 10 years old and scoring effortlessly against boys older than him. Team Canada stats, scoring leaders and demographics breakdown at Canada Cup in 1976. The plan worked as Backstrom sparked the Kings out of the league basement securing Oakland’s last-place finish. The thunderous ovations heard in the Forum were infectious. Between 1971 and 1991, Lafleur … padding: 0; In 1984-85, a rocky relationship with former teammate-turned-head coach Jacques Lemaire drastically limited Lafleur’s ice time. They went on to beat the Rangers in five games. “Play every game as if it is your last one.” – Guy Lafleur’s advice in his farewell speech after retiring for good with Quebec. font-size: 13px; In his first three seasons in Montréal, Lafleur’s statistics were considered average (175 points in 215 regular season games) and he struggled to meet the ridiculously high standards expected of him. 7), Maurice Richard (No. He signed with Quebec at only 15 years old and weighing just 135 pounds. { Hes known as one of the greatest right wingers ever to play the game and one of the most exciting offensive players of all time. However, Lafleur wanted to finish his hockey career in Quebec where it had started his career and returned there, signing with the Nordiques as a free agent for much less. And pulled me out of my seat more than any other Canadien.” –Red Fisher, Sportswriter, “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. The 1971 O-Pee-Chee design is instantly recognizable and Lafleur's rookie card is … On Feb. 16, 1985, Lafleur had his jersey (10) raised to the rafters of the Forum, never to be worn again by a member of the Canadiens. Whether selling your collection or seeking to buy an important piece of sports history, we invite you to experience the best team in all of sports memorabilia. “I realized that my family was more important to me than downtown nightlife. “Besides his enormous ability and great desire, Guy had extraordinary charisma,” Bowman said. When June 10, 1971, came around, Pollock chose Lafleur with the first-overall selection. The plan worked. Lemaire was a defensive-minded coach and had insisted Lafleur modify his game to a point where he was ineffective. It was the first time in seven years he failed to reach the 50-goal mark. Famille) were mad about hockey,” said Lafleur. Lafleur's 10 banner was raised on Feb. 16, 1985. The respect and reaction of out-of-town fans was almost surprising, as if they felt that Guy belonged not only to the Canadiens but in large part to them as well,” said Montreal Gazette columnist Red Fisher. 9) and Henri Richard (No. Time left 4h 29m left. Enjoy Fast Flat-Rate Shipping On Any Size Order. Unlike Dionne who led his team in scoring for the first three seasons, the much-hyped Lafleur didn’t immediately take the team or the league by storm. { One time, he met his childhood hero while playing at Le Colisee, the arena also known as “The House that Beliveau Built” due to Beliveau’s success with the Quebec Citadelles and the Quebec Aces. Lafleur led the team in scoring each year. margin-bottom: 50px; height: 250px; Regular: $449.99. Black Premium Express Sweater C$69.99. We looked at each other and we said before the games: ‘Who’s going to carry the puck?’ [laughs] Gilbert was a left wing, so Wayne said: “I’ll stand by the blue line and Gilbert, you see if you can pick up the puck.” Me, I was coming along inside my zone and tried to follow Gilbert.”, “It was the greatest experience of my life,” he recollected. For context, that would have been the third highest contract in 1989-90, behind Lemieux ($2 million) and Gretzky ($1.72 million). Get news about our auctions before anyone else. All orders are custom made … } Of course, it was not the underlying reason. All the Brothers (priests at École Ste. He stayed in game shape, playing with the Canadiens alumni team for charity games across Canada. Lafleur announced his final retirement at the conclusion of the 1990-91 campaign. But also, so brightly it can light you the rest of your days.”. At first, Lafleur playfully denied he even had it then relented, agreeing to return it the next day. Bulletin. “In all the years I’ve covered the Canadiens, I don’t think any one of the teams had more rapport with or respect from fans in the other cities. The first 14 years were with the Habs, followed by a three-year retirement. Sign up for our auction email. Lafleur was too fast, too tricky, too creative. 1), Doug Harvey (No. From 1974 through 1980, a 462-game stretch, Lafleur scored an eye-popping 327 goals and 439 assists for 766 points (1.66 points per game). 4), Howie Morenz (No. “I decided to slow down after that,” said Lafleur. padding: 4px 0 30px 0; Dionne was chosen next, by the Detroit Red Wings. We had one bleu, blanc and rouge Canadiens sweater and I fought the others for the right to wear it. That didn’t slow him down. Learn More Here. As the story goes, Beliveau originally asked Lafleur to take his number then had second thoughts: “Don’t try to be a second Jean Beliveau. In his teens, Lafleur tore up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. It even caused havoc with some teammates. h2 Wayne Gretzky (424 games), Mario Lemieux (513), Mike Bossy (656), Peter Stastny (682) and Jari Kurri (716). Lemaire dropped a pass back to Lafleur who rifled a slap shot into the far corner past Bruins’ netminder Gilles Gilbert, knotting the game, 4-4. Buy Guaranteed Authentic Guy Lafleur memorabilia including autographed jerseys, photos, and more at www.sportsmemorabilia.com. 2), Jean Beliveau (No. I dreaded to be drafted by any team but Canadiens and when they took me, I was so happy.”. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Guy Lafleur Poches & Fils Long Sleeves C$49.99. Lafleur’s contribution to the Canadiens and to the game of hockey is undeniable. { Brand New. A few years later, after waiting out the obligatory three years, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. At his press conference, Lafleur attributed his decision to a lack of motivation to continue playing. He then skated one season with the New York Rangers and two with the Quebec Nordiques. margin: 0; Beliveau, Canadiens, Guy Lafleur, Habs, Montreal, Richard, Sam Roberts, Sweaters Sweaters on the Wall I have been listening to Sam Roberts’ great new album, Love at the End of the … At the time, Lafleur was the fastest player in the NHL to reach 1,000 points, needing only 720 games. } padding-top: 30px; $899.99. Though Lafleur agreed to an off-ice job with the Nordiques, he had not officially filed for retirement and was selected by the Minnesota North Stars as the last pick in the 1991 NHL Expansion Draft. An optimistic Guy Lafleur made his first public appearance since October when he talked to journalists during a video conference Friday announcing the creation of the Guy Lafleur Fund. “I’d scored a hat trick in the peewee tournament game that day and Jean put a hat on my head for a picture, the way photographers in Montreal would put one on his after he’d scored three,” Lafleur said decades later recounting the scenario. He sent center Ralph Backstrom to Los Angeles for two minor leaguers. I mean, any guy who would be in his hockey uniform, skates tied tight, sweater on and a stick beside him at 4 o’clock for an 8 o’clock game has to be a little strange. The Flower’s trophy case includes two Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player (1977 and 1978), three Lester B. Pearson Awards (now called the Ted Lindsay Award) for most outstanding player in the regular season (1976, 1977 and 1978) as voted by the players, and one Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player during the playoffs (1977).eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',802,'0','0'])); He has five Stanley Cups  (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979), six consecutive 50-goal, 100-point seasons, 560 goals and 793 assists for a total of 1,353 points.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',803,'0','0'])); In his prime, the three-time Art Ross Trophy winner (1976, 1977 and 1978), was almost unstoppable. Down a goal with only a minute and change left on the clock, Lafleur circled in his zone, skated up the ice, then flipped a pass ahead to Lemaire who entered the Bruins’ zone. h5 + p These numbers, while very impressive, only tell part of the story of Guy Lafleur.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thehockeywriters_com-box-4','ezslot_2',804,'0','0'])); “Individual records are nice to get, but before the season starts, you want to play to win the Stanley Cup,” he explained. 1981 World Hockey Championships Guy Lafleur Game Worn Sweater 1992 Guy Lafleur Quebec Pee Wee Tournament Oil Painting (25x28") 1981 Canada Cup Team Canada Framed Photograph (16x20") 1991 … It all but guaranteed one of the first few picks for the Habs. 1988 Quebec Nordiques Woody Sports Sweater Sakic Gosselin Stastny Goulet Jersey. { “That’s the best line I ever played on, ever. margin: 0 7px 7px 0; Scored 53 goals in 70 games during the 1974-75 season. So when Esposito called and offered Lafleur the bait of playing with his good friends Chris Nilan and Marcel Dionne and for head coach Michel Bergeron, it was a done deal. The Habs were that deep with talented forwards. Over 3 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix. Shunned by Lemaire, a sad and frustrated Lafleur requested to be traded. the only player to top the 2,000-point mark. $75.00. Habs’ general manager Serge Savard denied the request fearing a public backlash had he traded one of the franchises’ most beloved players. Lafleur did not quit playing hockey altogether. The crowd doesn’t give a crap as long as you bring the money in. margin: 0; He was one of the most prolific scorers and one of the most exciting players of his generation or any other. It began a string of six consecutive 50-goal seasons. “He is the most ‘goal-dangerous’ player I’ve ever seen.” –Bruins’ General Manager Harry Sinden, “He is the most complete player in the game today.” –Jean Beliveau, “Lafleur didn’t do what the Rocket could do, and that’s carry people on his back. padding: 0; He was captain his last four years and wound up playing more games in a Canadiens sweater in his 20 seasons than any other man. color: #fff; His start is explosively quick and his stride is swifter than the others. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Over the next five seasons (1976-80), Lafleur scored at least 50 goals and 125 points each season. color: #fff; Sign up for our regular 'Habs Newsletter' for all the latest. padding-bottom: 10px; Navy Premium Express Sweater. 0 bids. GUY LAFLEUR … In overtime, Yvon Lambert won the game for the Habs. He had plenty more still in him. Both he and Jean Beliveau were winners, and they and the Rocket could all get you the big goal. An optimistic Guy Lafleur made his first public appearance since October when he talked to journalists during a video conference Friday announcing the creation of the Guy Lafleur Fund. “I will always regret that I cannot keep the great days with me forever.