Guy Lafleur

The Flower — the most celebrated hockey player in Quebec history and the offensive heart of five Stanley Cup dynasties.

Guy Damien Lafleur was born in Thurso, Quebec in 1951. He spent his greatest seasons with the Montreal Canadiens — winning five Stanley Cup championships (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979) and becoming the centrepiece of the most dominant team in 1970s hockey. He won the Hart Trophy as MVP twice (1977, 1978), the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion three consecutive times (1976, 1977, 1978) and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1977. He scored 560 NHL goals and 793 assists for 1,353 points. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 — while still eligible to play — and then sensationally returned to active hockey in 1988 after three years retired, forcing the Hall to address the unprecedented situation of an active player being inducted. His flowing blond hair streaming behind him as he skated at full speed became one of hockey's most recognisable images. He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He died in April 2022 aged 70. He remains the most beloved figure in Montreal Canadiens history.

Lafleur was known for his incredible speed, smooth skating stride, and flowing blonde hair that streamed behind him as he rushed down the ice. He possessed exceptional vision and playmaking ability, combining precise passing with a deadly accurate shot. His end-to-end rushes and ability to create scoring chances both for himself and teammates made him one of the most dynamic offensive players of his era.

Lafleur helped define the modern era of offensive hockey and remains one of the most beloved players in Montreal Canadiens history. His combination of skill, speed, and flair inspired a generation of Quebec hockey players and cemented his status as a cultural icon in the province.

• Stanley Cup 5x (1973,1976,1977,1978,1979)
• Hart Trophy 2x
• Art Ross Trophy 3x
• Conn Smythe Trophy
• Hall of Fame (1988)
• NHL 100 Greatest Players