Thousands gather to say goodbye to Guy Lafleur at Montreal Bell Centre

Michel Labrosse travelled with a group from Lafleur’s hometown of Thurso, Que. and lined up nearly three hours before the arena doors opened to pay their respects. 

“He was a gift for us in Thurso — a very important guy,” Labrosse said.

He said Lafleur would often come and visit the city, sharing his favourite memory of getting to play against the hockey star with his recreational hockey team during one of Lafleur’s trips. 

“It’s very important for us to be here because it’s a pleasure to return [our presence] to him.”

Lafleur died just over a week ago at the age of 70 following a battle with lung cancer.

He led the Canadiens to four straight Stanley Cup titles in the 1970s and is still the all-time points leader for the Habs. He had struggled with health conditions, including a recurrence of lung cancer in 2020.

For Greggory LaBerge, no distance was too far and no wait was too long to keep him from saying goodbye to his hero. 

“I don’t care about the wait — could be 20 hours,” he said.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., LaBerge grew up as a Habs fan and now lives in Denver, CO. Despite the distance, he decided to fly out to Montreal to be among fellow mourners. 

“It just hit me in the heart, and I said, ‘I have to go there. I have to be amongst our people in Montreal. Because these are our people — the Habs fans are our people,” he said tearfully. 

Quebec Premier François Legault was among the first dignitaries to offer his condolences to members of Lafleur’s family next to his casket inside the Bell Centre. 

“Quebecers of my age will certainly never forget him,” Legault later told reporters.

“I lost my father young, he was 59-years-old. I remember moments I had with my father watching Guy Lafleur and hearing the crowds saying Guy! Guy! Guy! That was something.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also spoke to reporters, acknowledging people from all over the world who came to the city for this occasion.

“It shows that Guy Lafleur was loved,” Plante said. “I spoke with a lot of residents who told me Guy Lafleur made them proud. He touched a lot of people with his generosity, authenticity, passion, and talent.”

Some fans brought souvenirs, such as jerseys and photographs signed by Lafleur — a symbol that speaks to his generosity and commitment to the community.

Among the fans who came out to pay tribute to number 10 was Maureen McKinnon, who fondly remembers watching Lafleur play numerous times in person at the Montreal Forum

“Just watching him on the ice with his hair blowing in the wind […] it was something,” she said through tears. 

“He was so great and he was so honest and just a nice person.”

A national funeral for Lafleur will be held on Tuesday at the Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral in downtown Montreal, beginning at 11 a.m. 

National funerals are reserved for “people who, for example, have made an impact on political life, as decided by the government,” the province says. The announcement of a national funeral for Lafleur follows similar honours for fellow Canadiens icons, Maurice Richard and Jean Béliveau, in 2000 and 2014 respectively.