The honor is just the latest for the Canadiens legend who enjoyed a storied 17-year NHL career - 14 with Montreal. A five-time Stanley Cup winner and six-time NHL All-Star, Lafleur is the Canadiens' all-time leading scorer with 1,246 points. He has also won the Art Ross Trophy three times, the Lester B. Pearson Award three times, the Hart Memorial Trophy twice, and a Conn Smythe Trophy. Lafleur saw his No. 10 retired by the Canadiens in 1985 and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
On the international stage, "The Flower" has represented Canada at two Canada Cups and one World Championship, notching 18 points in 21 games.
"It certainly is a great honor bestowed upon me. I'm humbled and grateful for this recognition, and I'd like to thank the selection committee of the Order of Hockey in Canada for this tribute," shared Lafleur via a statement. "I would also like to congratulate my fellow honourees for this well-deserved honor. I'm delighted to be among an amazing group of individuals who have in their own way contributed to the success and growth of our game."
The Order is the third such the 70-year-old is now among the ranks of, having also been made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1980 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2005.
The official ceremony recognizing the Class of 2022 is slated for June at the annual Hockey Canada Foundation Gala & Golf in Niagara Falls, ON.
