It鈥檚 been 37 years since Guy Lafleur last played for the Montreal Canadiens, but it was his name that fans chanted before the team took to the ice Sunday.
For 10 minutes, Habs fans gave Lafleur, who died Friday at age 70, a standing ovation, as cheers of 鈥淕uy, Guy, Guy!鈥� mixed with chants of 鈥淥le, Ole, Ole!鈥� and 鈥淕o Habs Go!鈥�
Twice, the game鈥檚 announcer began to say something, only to let fans keep cheering. Finally, he asked the fans to be quiet for a moment of silence in honour of Lafleur.
It was a mixture of sombre and celebration as the Canadiens marked the passing of one of their greats.
Une touchante c茅r茅monie d'avant-match en l'honneur de Guy Lafleur suivie d'une ovation digne de ce nom d'une dur茅e de 10:10.
鈥� Canadiens Montr茅al (@CanadiensMTL) April 25, 2022
Moving pregame ceremony for Guy Lafleur followed by a fitting 10:10 ovation.#GuyGuyGuy pic.twitter.com/h8yeQDZaty
Images of Lafleur鈥檚 youth were projected on the ice, before videos of his time with the Habs were shown on the arena鈥檚 screen to the tune of Frank Sinatra鈥檚 鈥淢y Way.鈥�
While there was video of Lafleur鈥檚 greatest goals, with a crucial goal against Boston 鈥� the team the Habs faced Sunday 鈥� in a Stanley Cup final drawing the biggest cheer.
But there were also images of 鈥淭he Flower鈥� lifting up the Stanley Cup 鈥� he won five with Montreal 鈥� and participating in the victory parades that were a regular event in Montreal during his time with the team.
鈥淲e must never forget playing hockey isn鈥檛 a job, it鈥檚 a game, we have to have fun,鈥� Lafleur said in one of the clips. 鈥淎nd win as much as possible.鈥�
On the boards, the usual ads were replaced by a simple tribute to Lafleur: his name, his number, his signature and the years of life - 1951 to 2022.
Yvan Cournoyer, who played with Lafleur between 1971 and 1979, told reporters he knew there was something special about Lafleur from the moment he joined the Habs.
鈥淚 won five Stanley Cups before he arrived, I said, I tell you there鈥檚 something with this guy, I鈥檓 gonna win more Stanley Cups and I was right,鈥� Cournoyer said, a black button with Guy鈥檚 No. 10 on his lapel.
Cournoyer said that while anyone could see how many goals Lafleur scored, it was his friend he would remember.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 forget a guy like Guy, I鈥檓 talking about the man,鈥� Cournoyer said, describing Lafleur as someone who deserved his popularity. 鈥淗e loves everybody, everybody loves him.鈥�
Chris Nilan, who played with Montreal between 1980 and 1988, said Lafleur helped him feel like he belonged on the team when he first joined, skating with him before his first practice with the team.
READ MORE: Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, a dominant force in his generation, dead at 70
鈥淭he two of us skated together on the ice, just me and Guy, it was unbelievable. We passed pucks, he gave me some tips on shooting, I never quite got the shot that Guy had, but he tried. I鈥檒l never forget that day, it was so special for me,鈥� he said.
鈥淗e always treated me with respect, never less than. Some stars, they put themselves on another level, kind of on a pedestal, not Guy, he never looked down on me,鈥� Nilan said. 鈥淛ust an awesome guy.鈥�
Before the ceremony, fans gathered in front of statue of Lafleur outside the arena.
Fan Danielle Lessard, who laid a bouquet of flowers in front of the statue, said Lafleur remained her favourite player long after he stopped playing.
As a child, she said she wrote to Lafleur and he sent back a card and autograph.
For her it was the 鈥渢he speed, the elegance,鈥� of his play that she loved.
鈥淵ou could count on him. You knew he would score that goal.鈥�
Details about the upcoming events to celebrate the life and legacy of Guy Lafleur.https://t.co/oobznfhS8N
鈥� Canadiens Montr茅al (@CanadiensMTL) April 24, 2022
A national funeral for Lafleur is scheduled for May 3, Quebec鈥檚 premier said earlier on Sunday.
Lafleur will lie in state at the Bell Centre on Sunday, May 1, from noon to 8 p.m. and Monday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Condolences can also be left on the team鈥檚 website.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
