Guy Lafleur death

The death of Hall of Famer and Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur on Friday at age 70 sent ripples throughout the hockey world.

"You didn't need to see Guy Lafleur's name and number on his sweater when 'The Flower' had the puck on his stick," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Guy Lafleur had an exceptional career and always remained simple, accessible, and close to the Habs and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada and around the world," Molson said in a statement. "Throughout his career, he allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride. A true legend of the game and an even better person. But he made a comeback later that year with the New York Rangers and then played two more seasons with the Quebec Nordiques before hanging up his skates for good in 1991. "As a boy in Montreal, Guy was larger than life to me," fellow Hall of Fame forward Mario Lemieux said in a statement. I always pretended to be him when I was playing street hockey. "I always pretended to be him when I was playing street hockey. "As distinctively stylish as he was remarkably talented, Lafleur cut a dashing and unmistakable figure whenever he blazed down the ice of the Montreal Forum, his long blond locks flowing in his wake as he prepared to rifle another puck past a helpless goaltender — or set up a linemate for a goal." My condolences to the Lafleur Family. pic.twitter.com/dS3dFZKvgC— @MartinBrodeur "I idolized him as a player, I respected him as a person, and always cherished him as a friend. A true legend of the game and an even better person.

He helped lead the team to five Stanley Cup titles and was the first player in N.H.L. history to score at least 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive ...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada wrote on Twitter that Lafleur “was unlike anyone else on the ice,” adding, “His speed, skill and scoring were hard to believe.” Lafleur was a magician on ice, a creative force who could deftly split defenses. He helped lead the team to five Stanley Cup titles and was the first player in N.H.L. history to score at least 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive years.

Guy Lafleur is the Montreal Canadiens' all-time high scorer, with an astonishing 1246 points.

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Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur has died at the age of 70. The Quebecer was a bonafide Habs icon, winning five Stanley Cups and remaining, to this day ...

Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur has died at the age of 70. The province is also considering renaming a picturesque highway that goes past Lafleur's rural hometown after him. They thought Lafleur was coming in to replace Béliveau." "Nobody pushed me to take that decision. "When you're a kid, your dream is to play in the NHL and to play with the Canadiens because they were the best -- and having the chance to win the Stanley Cup," Lafleur said. Windsor police are asking the public for information related to a shooting incident in the city’s east end. The victim of a grisly murder in the United States nearly 30 years ago has now been identified thanks in part to advancements in DNA technology and Calgary Police Service members. I took it on my own," he said. Lafleur was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 -- though in a surprise twist, he decided to return to the game, signing with the New York Rangers then returning to Quebec to play with the Nordiques for two seasons before retiring a second time. He wore Béliveau's #4 as he ascended to the Juniors -- and was drafted first overall by the Canadiens in 1971. "It's with enormous sadness that the Canadiens family learned today of the death of a symbol for a whole nation, and one of the greatest players in history," Molson said. "He was putting a hat on my head and he said, 'Maybe one day we'll see you in the NHL.'"