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A frontyard display featuring a Montreal Canadiens jersey and autographed hockey gloves shows how special Guy Lafleur was to Saskatoon’s Jim Taman.
As president of the Western Canada Montreal Canadiens fan club, Taman’s passion for his hockey team and favourite player is undeniable.
“I just grew up a Guy fan,” Taman said as he prepared a tribute in his frontyard for the hockey legend. “I’ve played sports all my life and I’ve worn No. 10 all my life.”
Lafleur, who earned the nickname “The Flower,” died on Friday at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer.
Taman feels fortunate he got to witness some of the biggest moments of Lafleur’s playing career.
In 1979, Taman was at the Montreal Forum for Lafleur’s famous game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinal against the Boston Bruins.
The Canadiens would go on to win in overtime and then dispose of the New York Rangers in five games to win a fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.
“I was very blessed,” Taman said. “I went through his complete career. I got to see everything, start to finish. I’m one of the very fortunate ones.”
Taman also got to know Lafleur off the ice. Through the fan club, they rubbed shoulders on several occasions during charity hockey events. During one meeting in Saskatoon, Taman recalls riding the elevator with Lafleur.
“After the game, we were downstairs and Guy was signing autographs. He had a handful of Guy Lafleur photo cards he was offering to fans. Just being the gentlemen he was, he said, ‘Jim my friend, can I give you a couple of pictures for your friends and family?’ That has stuck with me forever,” Taman said, choking back tears.
“When Guy Lafleur calls you his friend, it’s very special, very special.”
For Taman, there’s no debate: Lafleur is one of the greatest Habs of all time, putting him in the same category as Jean Beliveau and Maurice Richard.
Taman said Lafleur was more than just a great player, he was an ambassador for the game.
“He blessed hockey, is what he did, but he also blessed people,” Taman said.