A Draft Day Connection Years in the Making
At the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, two future legends began their journeys just one pick apart. Guy Lafleur was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens, while Marcel Dionne went second to the Detroit Red Wings.
Both players went on to have incredible individual careers. Lafleur became synonymous with dynastic success in Montreal, winning five Stanley Cups, while Dionne established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, despite limited playoff opportunities.
A Rare Reunion on Broadway
Their careers unexpectedly converged years later in New York. Dionne arrived first, traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the New York Rangers on March 10, 1987.
Lafleur followed ahead of the 1988-89 season, ending a three-year retirement to join the Rangers. It didn’t take long for the former draft rivals to connect.
6,338 Days Later… A Goal
On October 16, 1988, at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers hosted the Vancouver Canucks.
At 7:22 of the first period, Lafleur scored his first goal as a Ranger and his first since returning to the NHL. The goal came on the power play against goaltender Steve Weeks, with assists from Dionne and Brian Mullen.
A full 6,338 days after being drafted one-two, Dionne was helping Lafleur find the back of the net.
Flashes of the Old Magic
Lafleur wasn’t done. Just 3:37 later, he picked up an assist on a power-play goal by Brian Leetch, showing glimpses of the brilliance that made him a legend.
But despite the early spark, the Rangers couldn’t hold the lead. Vancouver responded with goals from Normand Rochefort and two from Petri Skriko to secure a 3-2 comeback win.
History Repeats Against Montreal
Less than a month later, on November 11, 1988, Lafleur faced his former team for the first time at MSG. In a fitting twist, he once again scored the Rangers’ opening goal, again assisted by Dionne.
However, just like their earlier game, the result didn’t go New York’s way, as the Canadiens claimed a 4-2 victory.
A Unique NHL Full-Circle Moment
Hockey history is full of remarkable connections, but few are as poetic as this one. Two players drafted back-to-back in 1971, each taking vastly different career paths, reunited nearly two decades later to combine on a goal.
For Lafleur and Dionne, it was more than just a point on the scoresheet. It was a full-circle moment that tied together the beginning and twilight of two Hall of Fame careers.
Guy Lafleur: Autobiography
The story of the legendary Canadiens superstar — speed, scoring, and stardom in Montreal.
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Marcel Dionne's NHL Milestone Goals
A tribute to one of hockey’s greatest scorers, this book highlights Marcel Dionne’s most memorable milestone goals and the moments that defined his remarkable NHL career.
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