Guy Lafleur's Rise to Hockey Supersardom Explored in New Exhibition

Guy Lafleur, a hockey legend and Montreal Canadiens star, is the subject of a pop-up exhibition in Gatineau, Quebec. The exhibition, "Guy Lafleur: From Dream to Legend," explores his rise to superstardom and his humble beginnings in Thurso, Quebec. Visitors can listen to audio recordings of Lafleur's mother sharing stories about his early life, including how he used to pry open a loose board to practice shooting pucks at the local arena. The exhibition includes Lafleur's old hockey bag from his time with the Quebec Remparts and a makeshift memorial that bloomed around his statue in Thurso.

A new pop-up exhibition in Gatineau, Quebec, is paying tribute to hockey legend Guy Lafleur, who was born, raised, and laid to rest in Thurso, Quebec. The exhibition, "Guy Lafleur: From Dream to Legend," explores the iconic player's humble beginnings and his rise to superstardom. The event is a collaboration between the Musée régional de l'Outaouais and local historians.

The exhibition features various artifacts and stories that highlight Lafleur's early life and career. Visitors can listen to audio recordings of Lafleur's mother, Pierrette, sharing stories about his childhood, including how he used to practice shooting pucks by prying open a loose board at the local arena. The exhibition also includes Lafleur's old hockey bag from his time with the Quebec Remparts, where he scored 130 regular-season goals and helped his team win the Memorial Cup in 1970-71 [1].

One of the interactive features of the exhibition encourages visitors to write down their own aspirations for the future. A 10-year-old wearing a Team Canada jersey left a note that read in French: "I want to play for the Canadiens and win the Stanley Cup!!" The exhibition aims to inspire visitors by showing that even big legends like Lafleur began with a thought, a "maybe," a dream [1].

The pop-up exhibition is open until August 31, 2025, at Zibi's Panorama Space, 40 rue Jos-Montferrand in Gatineau. The event is part of a broader effort to preserve and celebrate the history of the Outaouais region and its connection to hockey greats like Lafleur.

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/new-exhibition-traces-guy-lafleur-s-path-to-hockey-superstardom-1.7585708