Lafleur returns to the Forum... as a Ranger
Broadcast Date: Feb. 5, 1989
One of the most talented and beloved Canadiens players, Guy Lafleur has a much easier time scoring goals than staying retired. Having resumed his career a few months earlier, the Flower returns to the Forum on Feb. 5, 1989 as a member of the New York Rangers. Since stepping on the ice for tonight's pre-game skate, the legendary Habs veteran has been serenaded with standing ovations and enthusiastic chants of "Guy! Guy! Guy!, as seen in this game clip from CBC-TV.Lafleur returns to the Forum... as a Ranger
• Lafleur, the highest scoring player in Canadiens history, gave the crowd plenty to cheer about, collecting two goals and an assist in the game.• Named the First Star of the game, Lafleur's efforts helped the Rangers register five goals on the night. However, the victorious Canadiens bettered that mark by a pair to post a final score of 7-5.
• "I played here 14 years and I busted my guts out for 14 years for them [the Montreal fans] so it's kind of normal the fans are going to cheer for me," Lafleur told reporters after the game. "I just wanted to give them a good show, but I also wanted to win the game."
• Prior to this, Lafleur's last performance at the Forum had been in the fall of 1984. Unhappy with the limited ice time he was getting, he had quit the Canadiens and retired from hockey. At age 37 the Rangers convinced him to return to hockey, and he played for them for a season before moving on to finish out the last two seasons of his career with the Quebec Nordiques.
Lafleur returns to the Forum... as a Ranger
Medium: Television
Program: Hockey Night in Canada
Broadcast Date: Feb. 5, 1989
Duration: 2:11
Last updated:
Sept. 9, 2010
Lafleur returns to the Forum... as a Ranger.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Sept. 9, 2010.
[Page consulted on Feb. 12, 2012.]