Canadiens icon Lafleur dead at 70

The game of hockey has lost one of its greatest and most celebrated players, as Montreal Canadiens icon and Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur has passed away at the age of 70.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Guy Lafleur," said Canadiens president Geoff Molson in a statement. "All members of the Canadiens organization are devastated by his passing. Guy Lafleur had an exceptional career and always remained simple, accessible, and close to the Habs and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada and around the world.

"Throughout his career, he allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride. He was one of the greatest players in our organization while becoming an extraordinary ambassador for our sport."

A native of Thurso, Que., Lafleur appeared in 1,126 games over 17 seasons with the Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. He scored 560 goals and added 793 assists. A five-time Stanley Cup champion with Montreal, Lafleur’s 1,353 points – 1,246 of them coming with the Habs to make him the franchise’s all-time leading scorer – are 29th in NHL history.

Nicknamed ‘The Flower’ and ‘Le Demon Blond,’ Lafleur’s prodigious talent became evident in junior hockey.  In 1970-71, he tallied 130 goals for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts en route to a Memorial Cup triumph that spring.

Lafleur was taken with the first-overall pick in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens, but not without some great finagling by legendary general manager Sam Pollock.

Knowing that a pair of Quebec-born stars would be available at the top of the 1971 draft board in Lafleur and Marcel Dionne, Pollock acquired the top pick from the California Golden Seals the prior year in exchange for the Habs’ first-round pick