| Guy Lafleur had led the NHL in scoring for the first time with 125 points (56 goals and 69 assists) in 1975-76 and, as such, was named to the Canadian roster for the inaugural Canada Cup tournament in 1976. Lafleur picked up a goal and five assists in six games for Team Canada, who defeated Czechoslovakia to win the event. Lafleur was again a member of Team Canada in 1981, collecting two goals and nine assists for 11 points in seven games (good for a second-place tie in tournament scoring with Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Alexei Kasatonov and only one point behind Wayne Gretzky). Lafleur had a goal and an assist during Canada's 7-3 victory over the Soviet Union in the preliminary round of the 1981 Canada Cup, but, like Wayne Gretzky, was completely shutdown by the Soviets during their 8-1 victory in the championship game.
In addition to his Canada Cup experience, Lafleur represented his country at the World Championships in 1981 where, in accordance with international rules, he was forced to wear a helmet for the first time since his junior days. Lafleur contributed only one goal in seven games to a fourth-place finish by Canada that year. |
