'Once in a generation': Quebecers mourn Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur

Wisps of long blond hair whizzing by.

That's what Montrealer Sbastien Ayotte remembers most about watching Canadiens superstarGuy Lafleur on the ice as a young teen: Number 10 racing his way toward the blue line, sans helmet, his signatureflow blowing behind him.

"It was pretty sad this morning," he said.

The Habs icon, a Thurso, Que., nativewho captured five Stanley Cup titles, has died at the age of70.

The cause of deathwas not immediately known. However,Lafleur sufferedhealth issues in the latter stages of his life.

In September 2019, he underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery, where doctors discovered a lesion on his right lung. He underwent surgery to remove part of the lung a couple of months later. But by October 2020, the cancer was back and he had chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.

He went public with his experience towarn others about the dangers of lung cancer and the need for early screening. It was another example of Lafleur trying to use his fame to help others.

WATCH | Looking back on the career of late hockey legend Guy Lafleur:

Guy Lafleur, a dominant force on Quebec's sports landscape

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Over two decades, the phenomenon known as 'The Flower' solidified himself as one of the giants of hockey history as well as Quebec's sporting and cultural history. Guy Lafleur passed away this week at the age of 70.

Standing outside the Bell Centre area where stands a statue of Le Dmon Blondor the Flower, as Lafleurwas affectionatelyknown Roger Daoud wasalso reminiscing about the mark thehockey giant left on a generation ofQuebecers and the hockey world at large.

"He was, you know, a monumental person in Montreal," said Daoud, remembering how active Lafleur was in the community raising money for charity and contributing to several minor hockey leagues.

"His name was synonymous with Quebec and Montreal. And whether you're an anglophone or a francophone, everyone loved Guy Lafleur."

The Montreal Canadiens said the entire organization is in mourning.

At a news conference Friday afternoon, teamowner Geoff Molsonsaid the Hall of Famer"thrilled generations of Canadiens fans all over the world"and called him "a symbol in the history of sports in Quebec."

Molsonsaid he admired Lafleur growing upbut got to know him better in 2009 whenhe hired the Habs legend to be an ambassador for the team.

"He's a wonderful person. He has an amazing sense of humour and he's dedicated to everything he does, all the time," Molson said, adding that Lafleur always remained accessible to fans.

Molson said the team would honour Lafleur with a special ceremony, at a later date.

WATCH| Habs fans pay tribute to Guy Lafleur:

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Fans in Montreal shared memories of Canadian hockey legend Guy Lafleur, who has died at the age of 70.

Martin St. Louis, the Habs interim head coach, said Lafleur was his first favourite playerwhen he was growing up, watching the Canadiens play from his living room.

"When Guy took off, you'd be sitting down but you would stand up, because something exciting was surely going to happen," he said.

"He was electrifying."

But beyond being "a superhero" on the icewho inspired the next generation of hockey players like him, St. Louis said he also came to understandLafleur'shumanity off the ice.

When St. Louis was playing for the New York Rangers in 2014,hismother passed away the day before the first game of theseries against the Canadiens. Lafleur and former Canadiens player Rjean Houle both showed up to his mother's funeral.

"It was very touching for me and for my father especially," he said. "I learned a lot from Guy that day."

'A guy who didn't give up'

No one is better placed to attest to Lafleur's character and brilliance on the ice thanformer Canadiens great and longtime friend,Yvan Cournoyer, who was shaken by the news this morning.

"I'm having a hard time we were anticipating it but " he said, choking back tears in an interview with Radio-Canada's Premire Heure.

"He fought hard Guy is a guy who didn't give up."

Cournoyer, nicknamed the Roadrunner,played alongside the Flower with the Habs from 1971-79. He said he and Henri Richard, a fellow Hall of Famer,took Lafleur under their wing when he first arrived with the team.

"When I saw Guy for the first time, I knew he was good, but I didn't know he would be that good," saidCournoyer, adding that although Lafleurdidn't get a lot of ice time at first, he "played like a superstar."

Another longtime friend and former teammate,Serge Savard, shared Cournoyer's sentiments.

"He just dominated the National Hockey League, just like[Wayne] Gretzkydominated in his time and MarioLemieux dominated in his time," he said in an interview with CBC's Daybreak.

'He was a big hero here, especially in the French population ... he'sa unique player that comes only once in a generation."

Named one of the NHL's 100 greatest players of all time in 2017, Lafleur finished with a career total of 560 goals and 793 assists for 1,353 points in 1,126 games in his 17 seasons standing out with his skating speed and flashy playing style.

He enjoyed 14 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, rewriting the record book along the way.He is still the Canadiensrecord-holder for points (1,246), assists (728) and game-winning goals (94).

WATCH | How the Habs traded for the chance to draft Guy Lafleur #1:

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Guy Lafleur is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and one of the greatest Montreal Canadiens of all time. But, how did he even get his start with the Habs?

Asked about friendships off the ice,Cournoyer said the pair were often togethereven recalling when Lafleur first met his wife in Montreal.

He said that, being from Quebec City, Lafleur missed home a lot, so the team would often try to talk to him and bring him out in an effort to "help him love Montreal."

"So that's how we became close friends," he said.

For Savard, the last time he saw Lafleur in person was on his 70th birthday last fall. About 10 players and former teammates gathered for a dinner with him.

"He was joking, talking about the past, laughing ... and he knew it was the end," he said.

During his own health crisis, Lafleurjoined forces with theCentre hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral (CHUM) foundation as an ambassador to raise money for cancer research with the creation of the Guy Lafleur Fund.

"Over $2 million he raised for the CHUM," Savard said, adding Lafleurrewarded every $5,000 donationwith a jersey and a phone call to the donor .

"When Isay he made a difference, he made a differencein every aspect."

In a statement, the CHUM,where Lafleur was treated in recent years,thanked him for his generosity and courage.

For the two former teammates, Lafleur's loss is greater than talent deep.

"With the Canadiens, we were all together. So when we lose one, it hurts," said Cournoyer.

"He's my brother."

Politicians pay tribute

Quebec Premier Francois Legault,a certified Habs devotee, paid tribute to Lafleur on Twitter.

"Quebec has lost a giant," Legaultwrote. "I want to offer my most sincere condolences to his family and his loved ones. All of Quebec is thinking of you. Guy Lafleur is one of our legends. He left a mark on an entire generation of Quebecers. He made us dream. He made us win."

At a news conference Friday afternoon, Legault announced the Quebec governmentis in talks with Lafleur's family to organize a national funeral for the Habs great.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, another noted Canadiens fan, said Lafleur was "unlike anyone else on the ice."

"His speed, skill, and scoring were hard to believe," Trudeau posted on Twitter. "A record-setter and a five-time Stanley Cup champion, he inspired countless Quebecers, Canadians, and hockey fans around the world.We'll miss you, Number 10."

In a tweet, Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante said Lafleur was one of the greatest players in Canadienshistory and in the NHL.

"Montreal mourns the loss of thisgreat man," Plante wrote.