Lafleur’s name is known to every Canadian- no exceptions! His unique image- flowing long hair smoothly skating across the pitch to finish off with a score earned him the nickname ‘The Flower’.
He started his hockey career joining a local team in a small town where he grew up called Thurso, Que (population of 3000). Just at the age of 11 he knew that hockey was his destiny when he met Jean Beliveau- the Canadian hockey idol. Beliveau encouraged him, saying ‘Maybe one day we will see you in the NHL’ - the words that lead Lafleur exactly to achieving that goal and more.
Despite a tough beginning, by his third season he had become a lead player. With his team he won 5 Stanley Cups and was the first player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six- straight seasons.
Credit: langleyadvancetimes.com
His childhood dream has been accomplished! He has made it into Canadian hockey history - a Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 and became a national hero.
In 2019 a medical diagnosis changed the course of his life. A white spot on his lung signalled lung cancer- an illness that led to his death this Friday morning. He has been battling cancer with immunotherapy and chemo to eventually go through an operation on both lungs. Last 5 years have been an up and down journey.
His life and achievements will be commemorated at the state funeral- the Quebec’s primer’s office announced. Lefleur will forever stay in the nation's memory as a sport icon and inspiration to always follow your dreams.
