How did Guy Lafleur die? What happened? Cause of death

How did Guy Lafleur die

Guy Lafleur, a beloved Montreal Canadiens icon whose indelible mark on the successful franchise transcended far beyond his era, died on Friday, the team announced. He was 70 years old. Let’s see how did Guy Lafleur die.

 

Who was Guy Lafleur?

Lafleur, who was born in Thurso, Quebec, grew up idolizing Montreal legend Jean Beliveau. Lafleur was drafted first overall by the Canadiens in 1971 after a successful junior hockey career, and he went on to become a franchise icon in his own right.

The winger, nicknamed “The Flower” and “The Blond Demon,” spent 14 seasons with Montreal (1971-85) and was a key member of five Stanley Cup-winning teams, including in 1977, when he was named playoff MVP and received the Conn Smythe Trophy. Lafleur was a force on the ice, becoming the first player in NHL history to have six consecutive seasons with 50 or more goals and 100 or more points (1974-80).

Lafleur appeared in 1,126 NHL games, scoring 560 goals and totaling 1,353 points. He was titled one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players of All Time” in 2017.

 

Guy Lafleur Career

Lafleur began his NHL professional life with the Canadiens in 1971, filling the void left by the legendary Jean Beliveau’s retirement. During the Canadiens’ dynastic run in the 1970s, he became a fixture, winning five Stanley Cups and amassing a dazzling trophy case of individual honors.

The Flower, as a result of the English translation of his name, became known to many outsides of Quebec as the NHL’s most valuable player two times and the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer three times.

His peers recognized him as well, bestowing upon him the Lester B. Pearson award — now known as the Ted Lindsay Award — as the players’ choice for league MVP. His success, perhaps predictably, splashed over into the playoffs, where he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP in 1977.

On the ice, Lafleur was one of the most prolific scorers of his generation — or any generation. He was the first NHL player to score at least 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons, and he still sits atop several Canadiens’ all-time lists decades after his final retirement in 1991.

 

Guy Lafleur Cause of death

Guy Lafleur, a Montreal Canadiens legend who won five Stanley Cups and was a hockey champion in Quebec long before his NHL career, has died. He was 70 years old.

The cause of death was unknown at the time. There is no announcement on how did Guy Lafleur die. Lafleur, on the other hand, struggled with health issues in his later years. He had quadruple bypass heart surgery in September 2019, followed by lung surgery two months later.

Then, in October 2020, he was diagnosed with a recurrence of lung cancer.

 

What happened to him?

Lafleur had been receiving cancer treatment since September of this year when a cancerous white spot on his lung was discovered by chance while undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. He underwent another surgery two months later to remove the both upper lobe of his lung and lymph nodes. Lafleur’s cancer returned in October 2020, prompting him to restart his treatment.

Guy Lafleur, a beloved Montreal Canadiens icon, died on Friday, according to the team. He was 70 years old at the time. But there is no announcement on how did Guy Lafleur die.

 

Awards and Accomplishments

1970-71Quebec Junior Hockey League All-Star (first team)
1975All-Star (first team)
1976Won Art Ross Trophy; won the Stanley Cup; All-Star (first team); won Lester B. Pearson Award 
1977Won Art Ross Trophy; won Conn Smythe Trophy; won Hart Trophy; All-Star (first team); won Stanley Cup; won Lester B. Pearson Award 
1978Won Art Ross Trophy; All-Star (first team); won Hart Trophy; won Stanley Cup; won Lester B. Pearson Award
1979Won Stanley Cup; All-Star (first team)
1980All-Star (first team)
1988Elected to the Hall of Fame

 

Official announcement

Guy Lafleur, died on Friday at the age of 70, the team announced. There is no announcement on how did Guy Lafleur die.

The Canadiens say more information about upcoming events to commemorate and honor Lafleur’s life will be released soon.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of Guy Lafleur’s death,” said Canadiens owner Geoff Molson in a statement. “His death has devastated all members of the Canadiens organization.” Guy Lafleur had an outstanding career while remaining simple, approachable, and close to the Habs and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada, and around the world. Throughout his career, he provided us with many moments of collective pride.

 

Celebs react to Guy Lafleur’s death

Justin Trudeau tweeted,
Guy Lafleur, or “The Flower,” was unlike anyone else on the ice. His speed, skill, and scoring were hard to believe. 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.
Dave Stubbs tweeted,
1/2 Guy Lafleur has left us at age 70 following a 31-month cancer battle, cutting a hole in Quebec’s heart forever. The most exciting player of his generation, Flower wrestled his challenges to the very end, working to improve and support the lives of fellow cancer patients. …
Eric Engels tweeted,
Legends never die. Rest In Peace, Guy Lafleur.
The Iron Sheik tweeted,
GUY LAFLEUR I LOVE YOU FOREVER. I COME TO THE MONTREAL MANY TIME I MEET YOU LOVED THE SPORTS. I NEVER FORGET YOU. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER
Pierre LeBrun tweeted,
The first hockey sweater my parents got me was No. 10, Guy Lafleur. It was le Démon Blond that lured me into the sport. He wasn’t just the best player in the world, he played the game with panache. He was a true rock star. And delivered under immense pressure. RIP, No. 10.
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