Coolopolis: Photos tell the life of late, lamented Habs legend Guy Lafleur

Dec. 1969: Gold Medal Club presents Lafleur with a trophy for highest scoring junior player in Quebec, Jacques Sarrazin, who ran the Paul Sauve Arena and Jacques Vanesse, of Soprt Illustre Magazine hand him the hardware for scoring53 goals in 30 games for the Quebec City Ramparts. These photos are all from La Presse and taken from the BANQ site.

Lafleur flanked by opponents Luc Simard and Richard Leduc. Jan 27 1970

Lafleur in Jan 1970

Lafleur with Jacques Richard after they teamed up for 12 points in a 11-6 win over Sorel in front of 9,000 in Quebec City. Jan. 30 1970

Fans were disappointed after the much-hyped Lafleur scored 29, 28 and 21 goals in his first three seasons, middling numbers for that era. He then became a hockey legend and rock star by reeling off five straight seasons of 50 plus goals and at least 119 points per season. He finished the 1977-78 season with an eye-poppig 60 goals and 72 assists. Lafleur then went on to four seasons scoring between 27 and 30 goals and quit hockey at the age of 31 after being irritated with coach Jacques Lemaire, his former longtime linemate. He stayed retired for four seasons before returning to play three more, one with the Rangers and two with the Nordiques. Chris Nilan tells some excellent stories about his experiences with Lafleur in this podcast.

Lafleur was a dazzling player and fascinating person, by far my favourite all-time athlete.

Michel Briere leaps into Lafleur's armes after netting a game winner 18 Feb. 1971

Lafleur with Jean Beliveau June 7, 1971

11 June 1971 Habs coach Scotty Bowman had a useful scout watching over Guy Lafleur's playing career in the form of his referee brother Jack Bowman who oversaw some of the Flower's games, even once giving him a misconduct penalty. King Clancy said "he could become a superstar in his first season like Bobby Orr and Gilbert Perreault. These kids are coming up like mushrooms and it's great for hockey."

Lafleur with his parents Mr and Mrs Rejean Lafleur Aug 1971

Guy Lafleur tries on his new sweater August 1971

Lafleur with Henri Richard Oct 71

With Scotty Bowman

Oct. 18, Lafleur fails to score

Nov 13 1972 La presse publishes a poem Lafleur wrote that includes the line "

if one day you open my grave,

you will read, written in gold letters,

I still love you."

Jan 20 1973, Lafleur gets first star after two goals, one assist performance in a 6-3 win over Philly. He didn't score on this pass from Frank M, however.

Lafleur with his fiancee Lise Baree, May 1973

Nov. 72

Oct 1974 - Lafleur scores tying goal against Tony Esposito go give Habs 4-4 tie.

Nov 4. 1974

March 5, 1975

29 March 1975 Lafleur scores his 50th of the season against Herron of the Kansas City Chiefs. He scored again the next game against Boston.

29 March 1975 after he scored his 50th goal of the 74-75 season.

Henri Richard congratulations Lafleur for his first 50 goal season.

Lafleuf scores two goals in 8-2 win over Buffalo

Lafleur stands next to Maurice Richard and Bernard Geoffrion as they're honoured for their 50 goal seasons. Habs beat Minnesota 6-0 that night

10 Dec. 1975 against Leafs

5 May 197 Lafleur with Yvon Pedneault and newspaper photographer Denis Brodeur

Sept. 1976

Lafleur wins Art Ross, Conn Smythe and Hart trophies June 1977

Little Boston fan gives Lafleur a piece ofhis mind at an event in Montreal Aug 1977

Lafleur scores one of two goals in a 6-2 win over Philadelphia Oct. 1977

April 1978

Lafleur with PM Pierre Trudeau 16 May 1978

16 May 1978

6 June 1978 - Lafleur was told that he had to be a member of the ACTRA union in order to do a TV commercial, so he hosted a radio show on CKVL in order to get those credits. He enjoyed taking calls and said he'd like to interview Robert Charlebois, Jean Laointe and Pierre Trudeau.

Lafleur takes part in the Help the Children charity event at Bonaventure Hotel 2 Feb 79

Lafleur signs a copy of his disco music album at Regine's nightclub 12 Sept 1979

Lafleur scores against Detroit's Jim Rutherford but is miffed to have an assist taken away from him after the game. "It's gotten so I have to fight for each point, they're giving me nothing for nothing."