History of Guy Lafleur in Timeline
Guy Lafleur, a Canadian ice hockey legend nicknamed "The Flower" and "Le Démon Blond," achieved numerous milestones during his 17-season NHL career. He played right wing for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques, winning five Stanley Cups with the Canadiens between 1973 and 1979. Remarkably, Lafleur was the first NHL player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons. His exceptional talent and contributions to the sport led to his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988, recognition as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017, and inclusion in the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022.
September 20, 1951: Birth of Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur was born on September 20, 1951.
1962: First appearance in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
Guy Lafleur played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament for the first time in 1962.
1964: Third appearance in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
Guy Lafleur played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament for the third consecutive year.
1970: Trade for Draft Pick
The Montreal Canadiens made a trade to acquire the draft pick that would eventually be used to select Guy Lafleur.
1971: NHL Debut
Guy Lafleur began his NHL career, playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
1971: First Overall Draft Pick
The Montreal Canadiens selected Guy Lafleur as the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft.
1973: First Stanley Cup Championship
Guy Lafleur won his first Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1973.
1974: Emergence as a Star Player
By 1974, Guy Lafleur had become one of the most popular players in the NHL, known for his smooth skating and scoring ability.
1976: Second Stanley Cup Championship
Guy Lafleur and the Canadiens secured their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory in 1976.
1976: Lafleur Leads NHL in Points, Wins Canada Cup
In 1976, Guy Lafleur led the NHL in points and was a key member of the Canadian team that won the Canada Cup.
1977: Lafleur Leads NHL in Points, Wins Lou Marsh Trophy
In 1977, Guy Lafleur again led the NHL in points and also received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete.
1977: Lafleur Wins Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies
In 1977, Guy Lafleur won both the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
1977: Third Stanley Cup Championship and Playoff MVP
In 1977, Lafleur won his third Stanley Cup and was named the playoff MVP.
1978: Targeted by Bruins in Stanley Cup Finals
During the 1978 Stanley Cup Finals, Boston Bruins coach Don Cherry instructed his players to target Lafleur.
1978: Lafleur Leads NHL in Points for Third Consecutive Year
In 1978, Guy Lafleur achieved a remarkable feat by leading the NHL in points for the third consecutive year.
1978: Fourth Stanley Cup Championship
The Canadiens, led by Lafleur, achieved their fourth straight Stanley Cup win in 1978.
1979: End of Canadiens Dynasty
The Montreal Canadiens dynasty ended in 1979 after several key players retired.
1979: Fifth Stanley Cup Championship
Guy Lafleur won his fifth Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1979.
1979: Lafleur Receives Golden Plate Award
In 1979, Guy Lafleur received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
1979: Release of "Lafleur!" Album
Guy Lafleur released a disco album titled "Lafleur!" in 1979.
April 6, 1980: Lafleur's Final NHL Game as a Canadien and Paul Stewart's Final as a Player
On April 6, 1980, Guy Lafleur played his last game for the Canadiens. In a twist of fate, this was also the final game of Paul Stewart's NHL playing career. Stewart played for the Nordiques at the time, while Lafleur was with the Canadiens.
1980: Lafleur Made an Officer of the Order of Canada
In 1980, Guy Lafleur was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors.
1980: Decline in Performance
Lafleur's performance declined in the 1980-81 season due to injuries.
1980: Playoff Loss to North Stars
The Canadiens lost to the Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the 1980 playoffs, marking the end of their dominant run.
1980: Playoff Success under Lemaire
The Canadiens, coached by Jacques Lemaire, achieved playoff success after 1980.
March 24, 1981: Car Accident
Guy Lafleur was involved in a serious car accident on March 24, 1981.
1981: Lafleur Participates in the Canada Cup Tournament
In 1981, Guy Lafleur participated in the Canada Cup tournament as a member of the Canadian national team.
1983: Losing Record and Coaching Change
The Canadiens had a losing record in the 1983-84 season, leading to a coaching change.
February 16, 1985: Lafleur's Jersey Number Retired by Montreal Canadiens
On February 16, 1985, the Montreal Canadiens retired Guy Lafleur's number 4 jersey, a testament to his remarkable career with the team.
1985: Retirement from Canadiens
Due to conflicts with coach Lemaire, Guy Lafleur retired from the Canadiens in 1985.
1985: Guy Lafleur Award of Excellence Introduced
In 1985, the Guy Lafleur Award of Excellence was established.
July 1988: Lafleur Returns to the NHL with the New York Rangers
In July 1988, Guy Lafleur returned to the NHL after a three-year retirement, signing a one-year contract with the New York Rangers. His return was orchestrated by his agent, Yves Tremblay, who contacted several teams including the Rangers. During his first game back in Montreal, Lafleur received a standing ovation and scored two goals against the Canadiens.
1988: Return to the NHL
Guy Lafleur came out of retirement in 1988 to play for the New York Rangers.
1988: Lafleur Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
In 1988, Guy Lafleur was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the greatest players in hockey history.
1988: Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Guy Lafleur was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
1991: Retirement from the NHL
Guy Lafleur retired from professional hockey after playing for the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques.
1991: Lafleur's Second Retirement and Trade to Quebec Nordiques
In 1991, Guy Lafleur retired for the second and final time. Drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the Expansion Draft, he was traded back to the Quebec Nordiques to accommodate his off-ice job with the team. In return, the North Stars received the rights to Alan Haworth.
1991: Final Retirement from the NHL
Lafleur retired from the NHL for the final time in 1991 after playing for the Rangers and Nordiques.
1996: Lafleur Inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
In 1996, Guy Lafleur was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to Canadian sports.
1998: Lafleur Ranked Among 100 Greatest Hockey Players
In 1998, Guy Lafleur was ranked number 11 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
April 2001: Lafleur Auctions Hockey Memorabilia
In April 2001, Guy Lafleur auctioned off a large collection of his personal hockey memorabilia, raising approximately US$400,000. He donated a portion of the proceeds to the Montreal Canadiens Foundation.
2002: Lafleur Opens "Guy Lafleur Mikes Signature" Restaurant
In 2002, Guy Lafleur opened a restaurant called "Guy Lafleur Mikes Signature" in Berthierville, Quebec.
2005: Lafleur Appointed Honorary Colonel of 12 Radar Squadron
In 2005, Guy Lafleur was appointed honorary colonel of 12 Radar Squadron, an air force unit based in Bagotville, Quebec. He served in this role until 2008.
2005: Lafleur Made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
In 2005, Guy Lafleur was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec, a prestigious honor recognizing his contributions to the province.
2007: Lafleur's Son Mark Arrested, Leading to Lafleur's Legal Troubles
In 2007, Guy Lafleur's son, Mark, was arrested on several charges, including assault and forcible confinement. This event would later lead to legal issues for Lafleur himself.
2008: Lafleur Opens "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!" Restaurant
In 2008, Guy Lafleur opened a new restaurant in Rosemère, Quebec, named "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!".
2008: Lafleur's Term as Honorary Colonel of 12 Radar Squadron Ends
In 2008, Guy Lafleur's term as honorary colonel of 12 Radar Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec, came to an end.
2009: Lafleur Charged with Giving Contradictory Testimony
In 2009, Guy Lafleur was charged with giving contradictory testimony related to his son Mark's bail conditions and curfew.
August 2010: Lafleur Acquitted of All Charges in Contradictory Testimony Case
In August 2010, Guy Lafleur was acquitted of all charges related to giving contradictory testimony in his son Mark's legal case. He had been convicted in 2009 but successfully appealed the decision.
December 2012: Lafleur Sells His Restaurant "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!"
In December 2012, Guy Lafleur sold his restaurant "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!" located in Rosemère, Quebec.
December 22, 2012: Closure of Lafleur's Restaurant "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!"
On December 22, 2012, Guy Lafleur's restaurant, "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!", in Rosemère, Quebec, closed its doors. Lafleur had sold the restaurant earlier that month.
February 2013: Lafleur Appointed Honorary Colonel of 3 Wing Bagotville
In February 2013, Guy Lafleur was appointed honorary colonel of 3 Wing Bagotville, an air force base in Quebec. This followed his previous role as honorary colonel of 12 Radar Squadron, a unit within 3 Wing Bagotville, from 2005 to 2008.
2017: Lafleur Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players
In 2017, as part of its centennial celebration, the NHL named Guy Lafleur one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.
2017: Named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players
Lafleur was recognized as one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history in 2017.
September 2019: Lafleur Undergoes Open Heart Surgery
In September 2019, Guy Lafleur underwent open-heart surgery, receiving five bypasses. This marked the beginning of a series of health challenges for the hockey legend.
November 2019: Lafleur Has Cancerous Lobe Removed from Lung
In November 2019, Guy Lafleur had a cancerous lobe removed from his left lung, following his open-heart surgery earlier that year.
October 2020: Lafleur Diagnosed with Lung Cancer
In October 2020, Guy Lafleur was diagnosed with cancer in his right lung. This diagnosis came after previous health battles, including open-heart surgery and the removal of a cancerous lobe from his left lung.
2021: QMJHL Retires Lafleur's Number 4
At the start of the 2021-22 season, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) retired Guy Lafleur's number 4 league-wide.
April 22, 2022: Death of Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur passed away on April 22, 2022.
May 3, 2022: Lafleur Receives National Funeral
On May 3, 2022, Guy Lafleur was honored with a national funeral in Montreal, Quebec, recognizing his significant contributions to hockey and Canadian culture.
2022: Lafleur Named to the Order of Hockey in Canada
In 2022, Guy Lafleur was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada.
May 4, 2023: Quebec Autoroute 50 Renamed in Lafleur's Honor
On May 4, 2023, Quebec Autoroute 50, which runs through Lafleur's hometown of Thurso, was renamed in his honor.