He indeed gave Martin Lafleur, son of Guy and his wife Lise, a book collecting the testimonies of the population of Quebec City towards their father after his death on April 22, 2022. A gesture which was greatly appreciated by family.
“We didn’t know it and it’s really a nice surprise. I know that my mother greatly appreciated it and we will take the time to read it at peace. We feel blessed to know that his name will not be forgotten and I know that my father would have loved to receive this honor during his lifetime. It really comes full circle.”
Bruno Marchand gave Martin Lafleur, son of Guy and his wife Lise, a book collecting the testimonies of the population of Quebec City towards their father after his death on April 22, 2022. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Deep attachment
Martin Lafleur took the opportunity to remind those present that his father deeply loved Quebec City.
“He arrived from Thurso in Quebec very young with the goal of one day playing hockey professionally. He had enormous success with the Remparts de Québec and he felt at home in this city. He never hesitated to come back and spend time in Quebec even after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens.”
The family has never hesitated to collaborate with the people of Quebec City regarding this entire toponymic process.
“He would have been so proud to see that and we didn’t want his name to be forgotten. My father started his career here and he wanted to finish it in Quebec with the Nordiques. With this link that has always been present with the city and the people, I sincerely believe that this concludes its story in a beautiful way.”
For the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, this decision to honor Guy Lafleur by changing the name of the Youth Pavilion was rather simple to make. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Easy decision
For the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, this decision to honor Guy Lafleur by changing the name of the Youth Pavilion was rather simple to make.
“As there is an agreement for the Videotron Center, it was impossible. The Youth Pavilion is the second largest arena in Quebec, it already has its work of art in the hockey commemoration alley right next door. It was a neighborhood he loved, it was just a choice that made a lot of sense.”
The Commemoration Committee had to wait at least a year after the death of the famous hockey player to begin analyzing his candidacy.
Success all the way
Guy Lafleur has always brought success wherever he has gone. He won the Pee-Wee tournament’s best player in 1962 before playing for the Quebec CTR. He then joined the Remparts where he won the first Memorial Cup in the history of the organization in 1971. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, he would lift the Stanley Cup five times in addition to being named the most valuable player of the NHL in 1977 and 1978.
He came out of retirement in 1988 to play with the New York Rangers before playing his last two seasons with the Quebec Nordiques. The blond Démond will receive a national funeral by the Quebec government in 2022.
