Hockey world, politicians react to passing of Guy Lafleur

Canadiens player Brendan Gallagher

Getting the chance to be in the city for 10 years, and talking to the impact he had on every single Montreal Canadiens fan, how much he meant to so many people growing up, the joy he brought people. He was a special person and he meant a lot to a lot of people. We’re really proud to wear this Montreal Canadiens logo in large part because of individuals like Guy Lafleur. He was a very special player. He found a way to have an impact on so many lives. It’s a tough day for the organization, for sure.

READ: Montreal Canadiens great Guy Lafleur dies at 70

I just feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet him and spend some time with him here for 10 years. Good personality, he was always a big supporter of our group, regardless of what we were going through. He meant a lot to a lot of us coming through here… When you talk about the Montreal Canadiens, he’s in the handful of names that comes to mind.

"Every time I see the highlights, I see the hair. Maybe that's because I’m not exactly blessed with great hair myself." ????

Brendan Gallagher recounts some of his favourite Guy Lafleur moments and what he'll remember most about him. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uaX77de9ov

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 22, 2022

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis

It’s impacting me in many ways because for me, you lose my first hero, so to speak. I got to befriend Guy a little bit… I shook his hand a few times. And his presence at my mom’s funeral… you come to know the human, how nice of a guy he is. There’s people that have an impact on you without doing much, just by watching how they behave, how they go about their business, their day. I learned a lot from Guy that day he was at my mom’s funeral.

NHL great Wayne Gretzky

We lost 2 hockey legends this week (Mike Bossy). It was an honor to play with both. My thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Former Canadiens player Georges Laraque

Every time he would pick up the puck, the idea that people would stand up, you would hear waves in the stands because you knew something was going to happen. When with his speed he would pick up the puck and go coast to coast with it. He was electrifying… with his hair flowing… it was amazing to see what he did in Montreal.

He was such an icon that everybody wanted to have a piece of him, be part of them, because he was just amazing.

Talking about legend, There will never be another Jean Beliveau, there will never be another Maurice Richard, there will never be another Mike Bossy, and there will never be another Guy Lafleur. All these legends that we were fortunate enough to have seen in a Montreal jersey, that we have seen electrifying the building, you can’t recreate that.

#WATCH: “They'll never be another Guy Lafleur,” says @GeorgesLaraque, former Montreal Canadiens player who knew the legend and remembering Lafleur not only as a player he admired, but as an incredibly generous man.

READ: https://t.co/cBmF1yiPDT pic.twitter.com/SwQ9m28RzK

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) April 22, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

All of us of my generation suddenly feel a little bit older today to learn that Guy Lafleur is no longer with us. He was a hero to so many of us. I remember meeting him as a kid being overwhelmed in a way that meeting presidents and queens didn’t necessarily overwhelm me. I think we’ll all be missing him dearly today and for many years to come. My thoughts are with his family.

#WATCH: "I think all of us of my generation suddenly feel a little bit older today to learn that Guy Lafleur is no longer with us," said Prime Minster Justin Trudeau on Friday morning. "He was a hero to so many of us."
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READ MORE on Guy Lafleur: https://t.co/cBmF1yiPDT pic.twitter.com/m2AFrMgA65

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) April 22, 2022

Quebec Premier François Legault

Quebec loses a giant. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. All of Quebec is thinking of you. Guy Lafleur is one of our legends. He marked an entire generation of Quebecers. He made us dream. He made us win.

1/5 Le Québec perd un géant. Je tiens à présenter mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille et à ses proches. Tout le Québec pense à vous. Guy Lafleur fait partie de nos légendes. Il a marqué toute une génération de Québécois. Il nous a fait rêver. Il nous a fait gagner.
????LNH pic.twitter.com/Ao0YHkXE1T

— François Legault (@francoislegault) April 22, 2022

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante

It is with sadness that I learned the news of the death of Guy Lafleur. Having won five Stanley Cups, this hockey legend was one of the best players in the history of the Canadiens and the NHL. Montreal mourns the loss of this great man. Thanks for everything, Guy.

C’est avec tristesse que j’ai appris la nouvelle du décès de Guy Lafleur. Ayant remporté 5 Coupes Stanley, cette légende du hockey était l’un des meilleurs joueurs dans l’histoire des Canadiens et de la LNH. Montréal pleure la perte de ce grand homme. Merci pour tout, Guy. pic.twitter.com/62W3z5SYwH

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) April 22, 2022