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Guy Lapointe
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Guy Gerard Lapointe (born March 18, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League. He retired in 2020 after serving as Coordinator of Amateur Scouting with the NHL's Minnesota Wild for 20 years.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Nicknamed "Pointu" (a play on his name in French, where "pointu" carries most of the same meanings as "sharp" or "pointy" in English), Lapointe was famous for his powerful slapshot and brutal body-checks.
Along with defencemen Larry Robinson and Serge Savard, Lapointe was a member of the "Big Three" and played a key role in the Canadiens' winning the Stanley Cup six times in 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979.
He was traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1982 and signed with the Boston Bruins after the following season. He retired in 1984 following a series of injuries.
Lapointe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. In 884 NHL games, Lapointe recorded 171 goals and 451 assists for 622 points. He still holds the Montreal Canadiens' record for most goals in a season for a defenceman (28), and most goals for a rookie defenceman (15). His number (#5) was retired by the Canadiens on November 8, 2014. Since the #5 is already retired on behalf of Bernie Geoffrion, they will both share the honour. Interestingly, similar to Bernie Geoffrion, his number was raised side by side with the number of other members whose numbers were already retired before him, though this time being the 2 other members of the "Big Three", Serge Savard and Larry Robinson (Savard and Robinson's banner were lowered halfway and were raised back up to the rafters with Lapointe's banner, just like what they did to Bernie Geoffrion and his father-in-law Howie Morenz).
Pranks
[edit]Lapointe was also known for his sense of humour and being a prankster. One of his most famous pranks is probably the Vaseline coated handshake with then-Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau as he was visiting the Canadiens' locker room. Another time, Lapointe "stole" rookie Mario Tremblay's new Pontiac Grand Prix and relocated it to a different level of that parking garage, then waiting a few days before disclosing this to Tremblay who had already filed a police report and contacted insurance. [1]
Coaching and scouting
[edit]Following his retirement from playing, Lapointe became general manager of the Longueuil Chevaliers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, followed by a stint as associate coach with the Quebec Nordiques. He later served as an assistant coach and later as a scout with the Calgary Flames.
He was the Chief Amateur scout with the Minnesota Wild, a position he has held from the franchise's inception in 2000 to 2020.
Personal life
[edit]He is the father of three children: Guy Jr., Stephanie and Jordan.
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1965–66 | Verdun Jr. Maple Leafs | QJHL | 37 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 96 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1966–67 | Verdun Jr. Maple Leafs | QJHL | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 1967–68 | Montreal Junior Canadiens | OHA | 51 | 11 | 27 | 38 | 147 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 40 | ||
| 1968–69 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1968–69 | Houston Apollos | CHL | 65 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 120 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 1969–70 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 | Montreal Voyageurs | AHL | 57 | 8 | 30 | 38 | 92 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 1970–71 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 78 | 15 | 29 | 44 | 107 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 34 | ||
| 1971–72 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 69 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 58 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1972–73 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 76 | 19 | 35 | 54 | 117 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 20 | ||
| 1973–74 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 71 | 13 | 40 | 53 | 63 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1974–75 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 28 | 47 | 75 | 88 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 1975–76 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 21 | 47 | 68 | 78 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | ||
| 1976–77 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 25 | 51 | 76 | 53 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 4 | ||
| 1977–78 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 49 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 19 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 16 | ||
| 1978–79 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 69 | 13 | 42 | 55 | 43 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 1979–80 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 45 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1980–81 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 33 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 79 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| 1981–82 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 47 | 1 | 19 | 20 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 8 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1982–83 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 64 | 3 | 23 | 26 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | ||
| 1983–84 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 45 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 894 | 171 | 451 | 622 | 893 | 123 | 26 | 44 | 70 | 138 | ||||
Awards and accomplishments
[edit]- NHL First All-Star Team (1973)
- NHL Second All-Star Team (1975, 1976, 1977)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1973, 1975, 1976, 1977)
International
[edit]| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | SS | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 1976 | Canada | CC | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Senior totals | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | |||
International play
[edit]Early into his NHL career, Lapointe was chosen to play in the historic 1972 Summit Series against the USSR. Lapointe accepted the invitation regardless of the fact his wife would give birth to his first child (Guy Jr.), during the series, while the team was in the USSR. He would compete internationally again for Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup and the 1979 Challenge Cup against the Soviets, which replaced that year's All-Star Game.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database
Guy Lapointe
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Early years
Childhood and family background
Guy Gerard Lapointe was born on March 18, 1948, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[3] As the middle of three sons in a working-class family, Lapointe grew up in a modest flat in the heart of Montreal, a city renowned for its deep-rooted passion for ice hockey.[4] His father, Gérard Lapointe, served as a firefighter and fire captain, wearing badge number 5—a detail that would later inspire Guy's own jersey number—and also worked security at the Montreal Forum, the home of the Canadiens.[5][6] Little public information exists about his mother or the names of his siblings, though the family's proximity to the Forum likely immersed young Lapointe in the sport's local culture from an early age.[4] From childhood, Lapointe was an avid fan of the Montreal Canadiens, rooting for the team amid the city's abundance of outdoor rinks and community ice surfaces that encouraged widespread participation in hockey during the winter months.[7] This environment, combined with his father's encouragement, shaped his initial interest in the game, despite an early aspiration to pursue a career in law enforcement like many in his family.[7] At the outset of his playing career, Lapointe measured 6 feet 0 inches in height and 185 pounds in weight, physical traits that supported his development as a robust defenceman.[8]Junior hockey career
Lapointe began his organized junior hockey career with the Verdun Maple Leafs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) during the 1965–1967 seasons. In the 1965–66 regular season, he appeared in 37 games as a defenseman, recording 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points, along with 96 penalty minutes.[9] In the 1966–67 regular season, he played 38 games, tallying 14 goals and 34 assists for 48 points and 112 penalty minutes.[3] During the 1966–67 playoffs, Lapointe contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in 12 games, totaling 2 points and 14 penalty minutes, helping the team in their postseason efforts.[10] In 1967, Lapointe transitioned to the Montréal Jr. Canadiens of the Ontario Hockey Association Junior league (OHA-Jr.), a more competitive circuit that aided his development. Over 51 regular-season games that year, he tallied 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points, while accumulating 147 penalty minutes, showcasing his physical presence on the blue line. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal and 6 assists in 11 games for 7 points and 40 penalty minutes.[11][12] During his junior tenure, Lapointe honed his skills as a puck-moving blueliner capable of carrying the puck effectively with strong skating ability, while also emerging as a formidable body checker who emphasized physical play.[13][4][14] This combination of offensive instincts and defensive toughness, supported by his Montreal roots and family encouragement for local hockey pursuits, positioned him for professional advancement. Following the 1967–68 season, Lapointe signed with the Montreal Canadiens organization in 1968, marking the end of his junior career and the start of his professional path.[15][3]Professional playing career
Minor league beginnings and NHL debut
Guy Lapointe began his professional hockey career in the 1968–1969 season after signing with the Montreal Canadiens organization following a successful junior tenure with the Montreal Junior Canadiens.[8] Assigned to the Houston Apollos of the Central Hockey League (CHL), a Canadiens affiliate, Lapointe appeared in 65 regular-season games, recording 3 goals and 15 assists for 18 points along with 120 penalty minutes, showcasing his physical presence as a defenseman.[16] He also played in 3 playoff games for Houston, contributing 1 goal and 6 penalty minutes.[8] Lapointe made his NHL debut with the Canadiens on October 27, 1968, against the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden, where he received a 2-minute minor penalty in a 4–2 loss but did not record a point.[17] That season, he appeared in just 1 regular-season game for Montreal, accumulating 2 penalty minutes with no points, marking his initial exposure to NHL competition.[16] Recalled briefly amid injuries on the Canadiens' blue line, this debut represented an early test of his readiness for the league's demands. In the 1969–1970 season, Lapointe transitioned to the Montreal Voyageurs of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Canadiens' primary farm team, where he solidified his professional standing.[3] He played 57 regular-season games, tallying 8 goals and 30 assists for 38 points and 92 penalty minutes, helping the Voyageurs finish first in the AHL with 98 points.[16] His performance earned him selection to the AHL First All-Star Team, recognizing his offensive contributions from the blue line.[1] Lapointe also appeared in 5 NHL games that year with Montreal, again without points but gaining 4 penalty minutes, as he continued to adapt to the professional level's physicality and pace.[3] In the AHL playoffs, he added 3 goals and 5 assists in 8 games for the Calder Cup finalists.[8] Lapointe earned a full-time NHL role in the 1970–1971 season, appearing in 78 games for the Canadiens and establishing himself as a key defenseman with 15 goals, 29 assists, and 44 points, alongside 107 penalty minutes.[16] His 15 goals set a Canadiens rookie record for defensemen and highlighted his offensive potential.[1] In the playoffs, Lapointe contributed 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 20 games, helping Montreal defeat the Chicago Black Hawks to win the Stanley Cup in his first full NHL season.[3] This breakthrough year marked the culmination of his minor-league development, as he adjusted to the NHL's intensity through consistent play.[18]Montreal Canadiens tenure
Guy Lapointe spent the prime of his career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1968 to 1982, emerging as a cornerstone of the team's defense during their dominant 1970s dynasty. After brief appearances in the 1968–69 and 1969–70 seasons, he broke out in 1970–71 with 15 goals in 78 games, setting a franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman that still stands.[19] His offensive prowess from the blue line was evident early, as he contributed dynamically to the Canadiens' transition game while developing into a reliable two-way player. Lapointe's tenure coincided with the team's remarkable success, including six Stanley Cup championships, where his ability to join rushes and quarterback plays from the back end proved invaluable.[16] Lapointe reached career highs during the mid-1970s, solidifying his status as one of the league's top defensemen. In 1972–73, he earned a spot on the NHL First All-Star Team after recording 19 goals and 54 points in 76 games.[16] The following seasons showcased his scoring peak: he led all NHL defensemen with 75 points (28 goals, 47 assists) in 1974–75, establishing a Canadiens record for goals by a defenseman in a single season that remains unbroken.[20] In 1975–76, he tied for the league lead among defensemen with 68 points, and in 1976–77, he posted 76 points while helping the Canadiens to a record-setting 60 wins.[16] Often paired with Serge Savard, Lapointe formed part of the legendary "Big Three" alongside Savard and Larry Robinson, providing offensive firepower and puck-moving reliability that anchored Montreal's dynasty.[21] Lapointe's contributions were pivotal in the Canadiens' Stanley Cup victories, where he delivered consistent playoff production. In 1971, during Montreal's triumph over the Chicago Black Hawks, he recorded 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 20 games, including key defensive plays in the Finals.[16] The 1973 Cup win against the New York Rangers saw him notch 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 17 games, highlighting his ability to elevate his game in high-stakes moments.[16] As the dynasty peaked with four straight championships from 1976 to 1979, Lapointe tallied 6 points in 13 games during the 1976 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 12 games en route to the 1977 title, 7 points in 14 games for the 1978 win against the Boston Bruins, and 8 points in 10 games during the 1979 sweep of the New York Rangers.[16] His offensive output from the defense—166 goals and 406 assists over 777 regular-season games with Montreal—underscored his role in sustaining the team's high-powered attack throughout the era.[1]St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins
After a storied tenure with the Montreal Canadiens marked by multiple Stanley Cup victories, Guy Lapointe's career entered its final phase amid challenges, including reduced playing time and contractual uncertainties that prompted his departure from the dynasty. On March 9, 1982, the Canadiens traded the 33-year-old defenseman to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.[22] The move stemmed from Lapointe's diminishing role on a deep blue line and his status in the final year of his contract, where he had expressed concerns about becoming a free agent after the 1982-83 season if not traded. He appeared in 13 games with St. Louis that season, recording 6 assists.[16][23] In his first full season with the Blues during 1982-83, Lapointe appeared in 54 games, recording 3 goals and 23 assists for 26 points while accumulating 43 penalty minutes and posting a minus-12 rating.[16] This output reflected a adjustment to a rebuilding Blues team far from the contending environment of Montreal, where he had thrived offensively and defensively. St. Louis qualified for the playoffs that year, and Lapointe contributed in four games against the Chicago Black Hawks in the Norris Division Semifinals, tallying 1 assist.[3] Following the 1982-83 season, Lapointe became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Boston Bruins on August 15, 1983, seeking to extend his career on another competitive club.[24] However, injuries limited his impact in 1983-84, as he played 45 games, scoring 2 goals and 16 assists for 18 points with 34 penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating.[16] The Bruins reached the Adams Division Finals, but Lapointe appeared in just one playoff game against the Montreal Canadiens, recording no points.[3] Persistent injuries led to his retirement at age 36 after the season, concluding a 16-year NHL career that spanned 884 regular-season games with 171 goals, 451 assists, and 622 points overall.[16][25]International competitions
Lapointe earned selections to Canada's national team based on his consistent defensive prowess and offensive contributions with the Montreal Canadiens during the 1970s.[19] Early in his NHL career, Lapointe was chosen as a replacement for injured defenseman Jacques Laperrière to represent Canada in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He appeared in seven of the eight games, providing steady defense on the blue line during the intense series that Canada won 4-3-1, with his only absence due to an ankle injury from a slash in Game 3.[26] His role helped stabilize the back end amid the tournament's physical and tactical challenges against the Soviets.[27] Lapointe returned for the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup, where he played all seven games and tallied four assists, contributing to Canada's gold medal victory, including their 7-3 final win over Czechoslovakia.[8] As part of a star-studded defense featuring Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, and Denis Potvin, he supported the team's transition play during the round-robin format and knockout stages.[19] In 1979, Lapointe was named to the NHL All-Stars roster for the Challenge Cup series against the Soviet Union, which replaced the traditional All-Star Game. He participated in just one game, recording no points, as Canada lost the three-game series 2-1.[28] Overall, across these tournaments, Lapointe suited up for 15 games internationally, amassing five points (0 goals, 5 assists).[27]Personality and pranks
On-ice playing style
Guy Lapointe was renowned for his hybrid playing style as a defenseman, blending offensive flair with defensive solidity in a manner that anticipated modern two-way players. He possessed exceptional skating ability, allowing him to fluidly transition the puck up ice and join rushes effectively, while his puck-handling skills enabled precise control and distribution under pressure.[4][19] As a smooth skater and fantastic stickhandler, Lapointe excelled at both ends of the ice, making him a high-impact presence who could lug the puck end-to-end with speed.[19][4] Offensively, Lapointe's contributions were marked by his powerful slap shot—one of the league's best from the point—and his willingness to pinch and drive the net, leading to record-setting goal totals for a Canadiens defenseman, including 28 in a single season and 15 as a rookie.[4][19] He frequently led or supported rushes, amassing seasons where he topped Canadiens defensemen in points, such as 12 in 12 playoff games during the 1976-77 campaign, underscoring his ability to elevate his team's attack without sacrificing balance.[19][4] Defensively, Lapointe was a reliable body checker and shot-blocker, thriving in physical battles and heavy traffic along the boards, as evidenced by his career total of 893 penalty minutes that reflected his fierce, emotional engagement.[4] He often paired with teammates like Serge Savard in the renowned "Big Three" alongside Larry Robinson, providing stability without the luxury of a consistent All-Star partner, which highlighted his versatility and stamina in logging heavy minutes.[4][19] Lapointe's game evolved from a promising rookie with raw offensive potential into a cornerstone of the Canadiens' dynasty, adapting his hybrid approach to anchor multiple championship defenses through the 1970s by refining his physicality and decision-making under high-stakes pressure.[4]Notable off-ice pranks
Guy Lapointe was renowned among his Montreal Canadiens teammates for his off-ice antics, earning him the nickname "clown prince" of the team for fostering camaraderie through elaborate pranks during his playing career in the 1970s and early 1980s.[29][30] His mischievous behavior often lightened the mood in the dressing room and on road trips, though he avoided targeting head coach Scotty Bowman.[4] One of Lapointe's most famous pranks occurred after a Canadiens victory at the Montreal Forum, when Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau visited the dressing room to congratulate the players. Lapointe coated his palm with Vaseline and extended a firm handshake to Trudeau, leaving the leader's hand slick and surprising him. Trudeau laughed off the incident, and Lapointe handed him a towel to clean up.[29][30][19] In 1974-75, during Mario Tremblay's rookie season, Lapointe targeted the young forward by snatching his keys after practice and relocating Tremblay's new Pontiac Grand Prix from the Alexis Nihon Plaza parking lot to a remote third-level spot in the Peel Centre garage, about a mile away. Tremblay, delayed on the ice, returned to find the car missing and presumed it stolen, even calling the police; he discovered a note from Lapointe three days later.[29][31] Lapointe's dressing room jokes included cutting the skate laces of goaltender Ken Dryden and defenseman Terry Harper to delay their departures, nailing Dryden's shoes to a bench, and swapping sour cream for whipped cream at a team barbecue to fool Dryden and others.[29][4] On road trips, he once disrupted a California practice by using a fake French-accented phone call to cancel the team bus, stranding the players briefly.[4] He also concealed a whistle in his glove during practices to prematurely end drills, frustrating Bowman who blamed imaginary fans in the stands.[30][19] These antics underscored Lapointe's role in building team spirit without crossing into malice.[4]Post-playing career
Coaching roles
Following his retirement from professional play in 1984, Guy Lapointe transitioned into coaching by signing a two-year contract as an assistant coach with the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League (NHL).[32] In this initial role during the 1984–85 season, Lapointe contributed to the team's staff under head coach Jean Perron, drawing on his extensive experience as a defenseman to support player development and tactical preparation.[3] The Nordiques finished the season with a 41–29–10 record, qualifying for the playoffs where they advanced to the Adams Division Finals before losing to the Montreal Canadiens.[3] In 1985, Lapointe left the Nordiques to take on a dual role as general manager and head coach of the Longueuil Chevaliers in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), a position he held for the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons.[33] As head coach, he emphasized disciplined play and skill development for young players, leveraging his background in defensive systems from his NHL career to guide the team.[34] Under his leadership, the Chevaliers improved their standing, moving from ninth place in 1984–85 to a more competitive position, though they did not advance deep into the playoffs; for instance, in 1986–87, the team recorded a 30–32–8 mark.[3] Lapointe's tenure focused on fostering emerging talent, aligning with his post-playing interest in mentoring junior-level athletes.[35] Lapointe returned to the NHL in 1987 as associate coach with the Quebec Nordiques, serving in that capacity for the 1987–88 and 1989–90 seasons, while also acting as assistant coach in 1988–89.[3] In these roles, he worked closely with head coaches like Jacques Lemaire and Jean Perron, contributing to defensive strategies and player evaluation during a period of team transition.[36] The Nordiques reached the playoffs in each of these seasons, including a notable seven-game series win over the Hartford Whalers in 1987, where Lapointe's input on winning fundamentals was highlighted by team performance.[36] His short-term engagements underscored a coaching philosophy rooted in his defenseman expertise, prioritizing development and tactical acumen over long-term management.[4] In 1995, Lapointe joined the Calgary Flames as an assistant coach, serving for the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons under head coach Pierre Page and later Guy Charron.[3] During this period, the Flames made the playoffs in 1996 but were eliminated in the first round; Lapointe focused on defensive improvements and player mentoring.[3]Scouting positions
Following his early coaching experiences, Lapointe transitioned into scouting roles, beginning as an amateur scout for the Calgary Flames from 1990 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 1999.[8] In this capacity, he contributed to the team's player evaluation processes during a period that included the Flames' competitive years in the early 1990s.[8] Lapointe joined the expansion Minnesota Wild as Director of Amateur Scouting in 1999, a role he held until 2019, effectively serving as the team's chief amateur scout from 2000 to 2020.[8] Over these two decades, he played a pivotal role in the franchise's draft strategy, participating in every first-round selection since the Wild's inception and providing key evaluations that shaped the team's early roster.[31] Notable contributions included advocating for high-impact picks such as forward Marian Gaborik in 2000, center Mikko Koivu in 2001, and defenseman Brent Burns in 2003, all of whom became cornerstone players for the organization.[31] He also supported selections like defenseman Matt Dumba in 2011 and forward Tyler Graovac in 2013, emphasizing players with strong two-way potential.[31] Lapointe's scouting acumen was particularly renowned for identifying talented defensemen, drawing on his own Hall of Fame career as a mobile, offensive-minded blueliner with the Montreal Canadiens.[31] He focused on prospects who could excel in transition and defensive reliability, such as comparing young talents to elite players like Drew Doughty, and served as a vital resource for general managers like Chuck Fletcher in building a competitive defense core.[31] Lapointe retired from his scouting position with the Wild in 2020 after 20 years, leaving a lasting impact on the franchise's foundation through his draft successes and player development insights that helped establish the team as a consistent NHL contender.[8]Personal life
Family
Guy Lapointe is married to Louise Lapointe.[5] The couple has three children: Guy Jr., born in September 1972; Stephanie, born in 1975; and Jordan, born in 1983.[5][37] During his demanding NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, Lapointe often balanced professional commitments with family responsibilities in Montreal, where the family resided. He missed the birth of his first child, Guy Jr., while competing for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series in Russia.[37] Despite frequent absences due to games and practices, Lapointe prioritized quality time with his children, such as early morning outings with daughter Stephanie and arranging skating lessons for her from teammate Guy Lafleur.[37] Lapointe's children have pursued varied paths, with notable involvement in hockey reflecting their father's influence. Guy Jr. followed in his father's footsteps as a defenceman, playing minor hockey and advancing to junior Double-A as an enforcer while wearing number 5, though he faced significant pressure from public expectations in Montreal.[37] He later transitioned to a career in media relations for the Sûreté du Québec. Stephanie, the family's only daughter and middle child, cherishes memories of family bonding through hockey-related activities.[37] The youngest, Jordan, played hockey through the midget level under his father's coaching but opted against playing defence, citing Lapointe's advice to avoid the position's scrutiny; he now works in sales for PepsiCo in Ottawa.[37]Later years and retirement
Lapointe retired from his role as director of amateur scouting for the Minnesota Wild in 2020, after holding the position since the franchise's inception in 2000.[18] Since retiring, Lapointe has resided in Saint-Lazare in the Montreal area, where he maintains connections to the hockey community through alumni activities. He occasionally visits the alumni lounge at the Bell Centre and participates in events honoring former players, such as bobblehead nights for Canadiens legends.[18][38] Lapointe was diagnosed with oral cancer in late 2019 but entered remission by December 2020, following treatment. As of 2025, he has reported no major health concerns and continues to recover fully from the illness and a bout of COVID-19 in 2022.[39][40][4] In post-retirement interviews, Lapointe has reflected fondly on his career, noting that he timed his exit from scouting well amid the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing him to avoid the disruptions it caused. He now spends much of his time with family, including his grandchildren, who occasionally pull light-hearted pranks on him, echoing his own legendary reputation for mischief during his playing days. Family support has been a key part of his later years.[18]Career statistics and awards
Regular season and playoffs
Lapointe appeared in 884 regular-season games over 16 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens (1968–1982), St. Louis Blues (1981–1983), and Boston Bruins (1983–1984), recording 171 goals, 451 assists, 622 points, and 893 penalty minutes.[16]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968-69 | MTL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1969-70 | MTL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 1970-71 | MTL | 78 | 15 | 29 | 44 | 107 |
| 1971-72 | MTL | 69 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 58 |
| 1972-73 | MTL | 76 | 19 | 35 | 54 | 117 |
| 1973-74 | MTL | 71 | 13 | 40 | 53 | 63 |
| 1974-75 | MTL | 80 | 28 | 47 | 75 | 88 |
| 1975-76 | MTL | 77 | 21 | 47 | 68 | 78 |
| 1976-77 | MTL | 77 | 25 | 51 | 76 | 53 |
| 1977-78 | MTL | 49 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 19 |
| 1978-79 | MTL | 69 | 13 | 42 | 55 | 43 |
| 1979-80 | MTL | 45 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 29 |
| 1980-81 | MTL | 33 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 79 |
| 1981-82 | MTL | 47 | 1 | 19 | 20 | 72 |
| 1981-82 | STL | 8 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 1982-83 | STL | 54 | 3 | 23 | 26 | 43 |
| 1983-84 | BOS | 45 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 34 |
| Total | 884 | 171 | 451 | 622 | 893 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970-71 | MTL | 20 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 34 |
| 1971-72 | MTL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972-73 | MTL | 17 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 20 |
| 1973-74 | MTL | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1974-75 | MTL | 11 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 |
| 1975-76 | MTL | 13 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| 1976-77 | MTL | 12 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 4 |
| 1977-78 | MTL | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
| 1978-79 | MTL | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 1979-80 | MTL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980-81 | MTL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 1981-82 | STL | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 1982-83 | STL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 1983-84 | BOS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 123 | 26 | 44 | 70 | 138 |
International statistics
Guy Lapointe represented Canada in three major international ice hockey competitions during his career, accumulating 14 games played and 5 points in total. His debut on the international stage came in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, where he played all 7 games for Team Canada, registering 1 assist and accumulating 6 penalty minutes, while contributing to the series victory that showcased NHL talent against Soviet prowess.[41] Lapointe returned for the 1976 Canada Cup, appearing in all 7 games and notching 4 assists to help Canada secure the tournament championship against international opponents, including a notable round-robin matchup against the Soviet Union. His playmaking from the blue line provided key support in the high-stakes games, though he did not score any goals.[42] He was selected for the NHL All-Stars team in the 1979 Challenge Cup series against the Soviet Union but did not play in any of the three games, serving as part of the roster in this mini-series that replaced the NHL All-Star Game. Overall, Lapointe's international contributions highlighted his defensive reliability and occasional offensive flair in pivotal Canada-Soviet confrontations.[28]| Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 Summit Series | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 1976 Canada Cup | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 1979 Challenge Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 |