Guy Lafleur #10 of the New York Rangers skates (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
What happened on August 19 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date in 1980, the New York Rangers shook up the hockey world by announcing newly elected Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur would be attempting a comeback with the Blueshirts. It wasn’t a sure thing as the team as General Manager Phil Esposito called it a “tryout” and said that they had agreed on a one-year contract contingent on him making the team.
The player originally known as “The Flower” (sorry Fleury fans), Guy Lafleur had been retired for three years after 14 glorious seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.