'A hero to me': Alberta Lafleur fan, stabbed in jersey at age 9, recounts meeting idol post-attack
It was January 1980 and a cold winter in Calgary, Cory Gurnsey was just nine years old when he was stabbed in his Guy Lafleur jersey.
He was walking home from Victoria Park School when he was randomly attacked by a man, who had just been released from prison.
He was beaten and stabbed eight times.
"I didn't even know I was being stabbed at the time," said Gurnsey from his Lethbridge home. "Everything went numb, when it penetrated, but it felt like like a pin cushion."
Gurnsey was wearing his iconic Montreal Canadiens jersey with Lafleur's famous number 10 printed on the back. Doctors had to cut it off so they could ultimately save his life.
"He only had a five per cent chance of making it," said Laura, Gurnsey's mother.
Lafleur caught wind of the incident and visited Gurnsey at the Holy Cross Hospital. It was that meeting Laura believes gave her son the power to live.
"They told him about everything that was going on, and it was just great," she said. "He just seemed to come around just like that."
Cory Gurnsey had the opportunity to meet Montreal Canadiens star Guy Lafleur (Supplied).
Weeks later, Lafleur flew the Gurnseys out to Montreal to watch the Canadiens take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"After I was out of hospital, that's when I got flown to Montreal and Guy promised me, he will score a goal for me," said Gurnsey. "And he did against Toronto. He put (the puck) on a plaque after, and signed it."
Cory Gurnsey holds a plaque presented to him after Guy Lafleur scored a goal for him (Supplied).
Laura Gurnsey says she continues to cherish those moments 42 years later and says many hockey fans will miss Lafleur.
"It was a shock when I found out he passed away," she said. "He's like a big brother."
Cory says the traumatic injuries have led to him suffering from PTSD, a learning disorder and several mental health issues.
He says Lafleur impacted his life significantly, and he was saddened to learn of his death.
"I wish for his wife and kids, I'm sorry for their loss, and I hope the real best for them," said Gurnsey.
A national funeral will be held in Montreal on May 3 for the National Hockey League great.
Lafleur was 70.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.