His Fans Salute Carbo

Andrew's Dallas Stars Page set up a tribute forum for fans to post their farewell wishes to Guy in his retirement. Here are the postings, with our thanks to Mark Stepneski for sharing them.

BelfourDefender posted on 7/2 6:55 am
'Bye, Guy

It's unbelievably sad to see one of the all-time greats go, although we're all comforted that you'll still be involved in hockey in some way. Do whatever brings you pleasure in your retirement, Monsieur Carbonneau. You've earned it!

Thanks for the memories Guy. Your play, character and leadership will be missed. Good luck with whatever you pursue in the future.

You made some great fans in Dallas by your example of how hockey should be played. your courage and "give it all you've got attitude" were wonderful to see. Best wishes for your future. God Bless you and your family.

I am sure I speak for all Stars when I say you will be missed. Your play was inspiring to me and my family. Good luck.

Congratulations on an outstanding career. Your leadership, style of play, and enthusiasm for the game was appreciated by every Stars fan and hockey fan that watched you play. Good luck in your future endeavors, Guy.

What a wonderful career! Thanks for sharing part of it with us. Best wishes and we'll miss your leadership and that trademark smile! :)

April posted on 7/2 8:49 am
What a ride

Thanks for giving us 18 amazing years. You are an inspiration and will be greatly missed. Your leadership and perseverance were both one in a million. Best of luck in whatever you do.

We love you Guy.

I hope you will share your expertise with our guys a little while longer. We really need your wisdom and leadership behind the bench in some capacity. If you do decide to return to your roots, may you always hold a special place for Texas in your heart. Thanks for the memories and good luck with whatever you decide to do...

I am a relative new-comer to hockey & thus have not gotten to enjoy watching you play as long as most fans have, but I shall still miss seeing you out on the ice & your wonderful smile. God bless you & your family.

Thank you for always being there for us when we needed a hero on the ice and special friend off the ice.
A BIG HUG AND KISS!!!
from the kids at the hospital

You're the reason, in my eyes we won the Stanley Cup in 1999. Yea, Eddie was awesome, Nieuwendyk was great and Brett Hull scored the winner, but without your taking a huge role on this team, and playing as if you were 27 and in your prime, when you are 40 is something this team will never be able to replace. People might say that Dallas Stars fans won't be able to appreciate what you did for the NHL, because you spent so many years with the Canadiens, but trust us when we shout "GUUUYYYY" at Stars games, it's because we love you. I can't speak for all Stars fans, but I myself really hope that you'll stay on with the Stars with some type of office job. You in my eyes, are the heart and soul of the Dallas Stars. Thank you for the memories, and good luck with what you decide to do next in your life. We'll miss seeing your number 21 on the ice, dearly next season.

Brian Hardaway

We will miss you and your wonderfull talent. You are a true hockey great! I hope you will return to accept the Penalty Kill Trophy with the team as you were a huge part of that effort last season and a key player in achieving the NHL record. Good luck to you and God bless you and your family always.

Your fan
Marcia

Thank you for all you have done for the Dallas Stars and the way you played the game. I have two vivid memories of Game 6 of the 2000 SC playoffs. One is an injured Sydor dragging himself into the action enough to force the officials to stop play and what had turned into a New Jersey power play. The other is your waving to the crowd as we shouted "Ghee" as you left the ice for the last time. There has been no classier or more respected hockey player than Guy Carbonneau. I will also always remember watching on TV as you confidently skated in a circle waiting to take the drop in the Stars end of the ice at the end of the Stars last road trip to Monetral this year. You win the drop and the Stars win - was there any doubt? Not in my mind. I will also remember ealy in the playoffs you were knocked to the ice, but managed to scramble over and get on top of the puck. After play was stopped and you were helped from the ice, it appeared you didn't really have all your senses about you, but had simply acted on instinct to get over and cover the puck. I'm not sure you knew where you were for a few seconds, but you certainly knew what to do. Thank you for those memories. Have a wonderful life and we would love to have you remain in Dallas and with the Stars in some capacity if you are so inclined.

Guy, your grace, style, energy, your very presence on the ice was and always will be awe-inspiring. Your indelible mark on the great game of hockey will long be remembered. Thanks for the memories and much happiness to you and yours.

For bringing your obvious love of this game to Texas and sharing it with us. Besides being a tremendous player, your grace, class and courage have won you our hearts.

You have been, in my mind, the classiest player that the NHL has ever had to fortune to know. Your actions on and off the ice are a tribute to a game that so many love. Watching you leave game six, the way you looked back at the ice, I thought then that maybe you wouldn't be back. I didn't want to believe it but deep down, I really thought so. You are an amazing man and I feel deeply priviledged to have seen you play here in Dallas. I hope that you go on to something that will make your days happy and your life fulfilled. Thank you for being you!

The only regret I have about becoming a hockey fan is that I didn't become one sooner. I started watching the Stars late in the 98-99 regular season and have been hooked since. During the Edmonton series last year, the commentators kept praising the efforts of some veteran named Guy. He was a 39 year-old man playing with the fire of a 20-year-old. He helped lead his team to a sweep with sheer determination. I thought to myself...Wow. If this is what hockey is all about, then I have been MISSING OUT. J'espere vous jouissez de votre retraite, Monsieur Carbonneau. Vous me manquerez.

Terri

Very simply, merci beaucoup, Mr. Carbonneau for bringing the class and style of old time hockey to the Dallas Stars. We loved having you here and watching you play. We are fortunate enough to sit close to the glass and also enjoyed watching you interact with other players and referees. Always up to devilment! For those of us not under 35 watching you play with such skill and contributing to the team actually made us feel more part of the game. We would love for you to stay in Dallas wit the Stars. However we would also like to see you return to Montreal and help Canadians preserve their teams. Whatever you decide to do we hope your gandchildren learn to speak French with a Texas accent. Au revoir, y'all!

Guy, your class, style and consistency will be missed. At times, you were the man fueling the Stars and driving them on.

We'll miss your smile. We'll miss the way you get angry and pound on the boards. We'll miss your quiet voice in the midst of turmoil.

I'll miss seeing you and Rich wait for everyone to leave the ice and celebrate those wins together.

I'll miss you.

Take care of you, and think of us once in awhile, as we no doubt will think of you.

I won't say goodbye, I'll say farewell.

Cheri'

Guy, It was great having you in the team, you were awsome! And best of luck to you in... whatever you're going to do now!
**sigh** ...I guess I'll just have to accept and adjust...
Farewell, Guy Carbonneau. I love you and I'll miss you!
<<-DSG->>

(anyone else think that Carbonneau's headed towards the hall of fame?)

When I read this I remembered how during the cup run last year Guy had hisleg landed on by Hunter playing against Colorado and he left the ice. When that happened I said "We can't win the cup without him!" Just then he returned. A leg brace had kept him from an injury which I think would have cost us the cup. Thanks Guy for without you we wouldn't have our Stanley Cup.

When the Stars were playing Colorado last season Dale Hunter landed on your leg and you were helped off the ice. At that moment I said "Without him we can't win the cup!" You returned and it was because of a brace on that leg an injury was avoided. i still believe without you we wouldn't have our cup. Thanks for everything. Have a wonderful life. You have made a difference.

You are one of my favorite players! I am so sad to see you go and I wish you the best in everything you do! Thanks for being such an important part of the Dallas Stars - I am sure going to miss you!

As the years went by you became a legend on ice...one of the revered Montreal Canadiens who produced a team of champions that may never be equaled again. Dallas was fortunate to call you a Star and even more fortunate that you chose to end your career in a state that you helped win passionate fans to the game of hockey.

Sally Miller posted on 7/2 4:21 pm
Guy Carbonneau retirement

Thanks for playing for the Dallas Stars. It has been a pleasure to watch you. Hope you'll stick around to help train the rookies.

Guy taught the Dallas Stars and their fans what the game of hockey is all about - speed, skill, grace and perserverance. Guy played hockey with all of his heart, and the Dallas fans were lucky enough to witness it. The Stars and their fans can never be the same with Guy's retirement from the game, but we are both better for having him live and play in Dallas. Good luck to you and your family, Guy. Thank you for giving us your heart and letting us love you back.

It takes a man with a lot of courage and passion to play for as long as Guy did. Winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest honor anyone can get in professional sports, and so be glad Guy that you have earned that honor and have your named inscribed forever on the Cup. Too bad you couldn't go out on top, but winning the West two years in a row is still pretty difficult. So long big Guy!

GGHHEEEEE!!!

You exemplified what the sport of hockey should be about by exhibiting strength, passion, and heart every second of every shift you played. You should be very proud of all of your wonderful accomplishments throughout your illustrious career. Good luck, and enjoy being retired. I will miss you!!!!

I wish you the best in whatever you choose to pursue, you will be sorely missed on the ice. Thanks for the memories.

As a fairly new fan to the sport of Hockey, I want to thank you for all you have given to the fans and your team. I've watched every game I could on TV, and made the long drive from Louisiana four times last year to watch the Stars play in Dallas. You'll never know what a thrill that was for me. You are, and will always be my favorite player. Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful retirement and a marvelous future. While I hope you stay in Dallas, were ever you decide to go, know that your fans will always be there. Enjoy the rest of a wonderful life!

Pour un homme d'un certain age (c'est une blague, bien entendu--je suis plus agee que vous!), vous etes tout incroyable! Quand j'ai vous vu dans la glace, je suis ete au bout de souffle. Je vais regretter votre abscence, mais je sais que vous avez raison.

Soyez bien; soyez heureux; et soyez benit comme vous avez nous beni.

Leni

et s.v.p.. excusez-moi mon pauvre Francais!

Happiness......Deep down within
Serenity.....With each sunrise
Success......In each facet of your life
Friends......Close and caring
Love.....That never ends
Knowledge.....Of the grace and love of God.
Special memories.....Of all the yesterdays
A bright today......With much to be thankful for
A path....That leads to beautiful tomorrow's
Dreams......That do their best to come true
And appreciation....Of all the wonderful things about you!

Thank You Guy!

What is left to say, Guy? If anyone deserves to leave with his head held high, it is you.
In the past two years that I have been watching hockey, I have never ceased to be amazed by your work ethic. In a sport often criticized for being violent, you brought gracefulness, class, determination, and (most of all) humanity.
You gave the Stars five years of grit and soul, and they are a better team because of your influence. Games definitely will not be the same without #21.
No matter what the future holds for you, may you always find happiness and peace in whatever you do.

Thank you for giving us so many wonderful memories. Thank you most of all for showing us that the game is about heart and passion. I will miss watching that fire on the ice. Good luck in your life after hockey and know that all Stars fans are still rooting for you!

P.S. As an SMU alum good luck to your daughter as she begins her four years on the hilltop. I hope they are as happy as mine were!

Thanks for all the great years and memories.

...will he pass the torch? Guy Carbonneau is one of a vanishing breed. Hopefully enough of the true spirit of hockey has been instilled in the Stars by his presence. Perhaps now he will have a chance to return to the Canadiens as a conquering hero to remind them about La Fierte Pour Toujours. Playing well is the best revenge! You have been an inspiration and a wonder, Guy. Bonne chance pour l' avenir. Nous t'aimerons pour toujours!!!

It just won't be the same next season without you. You'll be missed.

Words can't describe your impact on this franchise, but I'll give it my best shot.

Your desperation goal against Detroit in the 1997-1998 playoffs to force OT in Game 5 sent us all screaming.

Your effort and passion in the two Cup runs left us inspired.

Your humility and respect for the game we love left us proud to be Stars' fans.

Your leadership on and off the ice has left this franchise in good hands.

Your sheer joy and determination made it easy to love you.

There won't be another Carbonneau, but we see you in all the players you've taught.

We shed tears when we heard you had retired.

We'll shed more tears when they raise your #21 to the rafters next to the Stanley Cup banners. For without #21 there would be no banners.

You were like a brash Texan when you asked to play against Forsberg.

You became a Texan when you backed up your words.

We'll see your shadow in the faceoff circle each time there's a critical draw.

Forgive us if we still shout "Guy" when Jere kills of a power play.

You've done your work here, go take care of the Habs.

We'll still see your sweat and blood along the cornerboards of Reunion.

You may have left us, but your fingerprints remain.

When we look at the Cup, we'll remember your name.

Thanks for a wonderful, and inspiring, five years Guy. You'll be missed, but not forgotten.

but legends never die! Nowadays as people walk by the dormant Reunion Arena, they can still hear the whispers and cheers of fans and players who played and watched the glory of a game we call hockey. But out of all those cheers, one will still be echoing through the rafters....GGGGGGGUUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

We watched in awe as a true leader and a true legend gave our team and our fans the true glory of the STARS spirit! Now as our team charges forward, someone else must carry the flag that you Guy have held so high for us. You'll be missed but never forgotten....

Thank you so much, Guy, for playing here in Texas. You're a legend and we'll never forget you! I wish you the best of luck at whatever you decide to do next. Thanks for the great 5 years! We'll miss you!
-Casey

Many of us in Dallas are new to the game of hockey and we have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to witness the final years of a great career. Thank you Guy for showing the newly acquired fans of Dallas what hockey is all about. Your determination and heart are an inspiration to all. Good luck in your future endeavors and we hope that your retirement from playing doesn't remove you from Dallas.
Thanks,
Todd Jones

I have been following hockey since 1958, and you are among those players, such as Jean Beliveau, Red Kelly, and John Bucyk, whom I will always remember as bringing a marvelous combination of skill, character, and dignity to the game. You taught the fans of Dallas how the game should be played.

Guy,

Dallas has become a hockey town because of the Stars, and you are one of the major reasons we all kept watching. Thank you for your commitment to the game and for the respect you showed your teammates and fans. Here's hoping you'll stay in Dallas as a part of the Stars in some way. If you do go home to Canada we'll miss you dearly. Good luck to you and your family and, again, thank you!

-Leslie

guy, thank you so much for the wonderful memories you have given to the game of hockey, and the city of dallas. i count it a privilege to say i've seen you play and shaken your (broken) hand. there will be a huge hole in the stars lineup, and while another will step up to fill it, he will never fill it completely. good luck in whatever you do, and thank you again! much love, aimee

guy-

thank you for your heart and hard work. i've only been in dallas two years, the best two in my opinion, but it's been long enough to come to love a very special team. you have been such a big part of this wonderful team and the great experiences the city has had. thank you so much. we will miss you. good luck in whatever you decide. we support you, whether here in dallas or elsewhere.

sincerely,

amy

Nothing made me and my friends happier this season than seeing the Montreal checking line out there this season. To see you, Keane and Muller on the same line for the Dallas Stars is by far one of the most memorable things I have ever seen. Your desire to win and level of intensity will be missed in Dallas. Best of luck on your future endeavors. Stars hockey will not be the same without you.

Here's to you Guy. Thanks for showing the heart you did every game. The reliable PK will never be the same without your presence on the ice.

Dino

Thank you for bringing the grittiest and classiest style of hockey to Dallas and for getting us off on the right foot as one of the finest hockey teams in the NHL. Your skill and determination will be greatly missed, and even moreso your strength of character. I will wear my "21" sweater with pride, and hope to see yours hoisted to the rafters to reside with our Stanley Cup banner.

Reunion Arena just won't be the same without you.

I knew your retirement was coming, but oddly I am still taken by surprise. As if by a premonition we fans had already said our goodbyes to you at Reunion Arena, saluting you with shouts of "GUY! GUY!" as you skated from the ice after Game 6. And looking back at that moment, you were actually saying your adieu to us as you doffed your helmet in answer to our cheers. It seems I have been asking you for one more year ever since you joined the team in October 1995 and each time, you shrugged and said "We'll see." And now the time is finally here and it is just as hard to see you hang up your CCM Tacks for the last time as I had always imagined it would be.

There are countless Carbonneau moments that are frozen in my mind and in photos I have taken and videotapes that I have hoarded over the last five years. Sprawling on the ice to block a shot. Chirping at your teammates on the bench to hustle. Subtle nods of your head to place your defensemen on a faceoff. Circling the ice like a shark on the penalty kill. Moments that I will recount to young hockey fans in the future when I tell them, "Yes, I saw Guy Carbonneau play."

The ice by the right post of The Eagle's goal will look empty from now on. I'll miss seeing you baptize the center ice faceoff dot in warmup and congratulate your teammates at the end of each game with a touch of your glove and a bump of your forehead. And with all due respect to the other Stars centermen, I will be just a little more nervous with every defensive draw if you are not there to take it.

Just as you are leaving the game, I am retiring my autographed Carbonneau sweater. It is well-worn, just as the man it honored. I hope to eventually wear it one last time though --- when #21 is raised to the rafters of either Reunion Arena or the new barn and shouts of "GUY! GUY!" will ring in the arena once again.

We know that Montreal is beckoning you to rejoin the Habs organization. I must mean so much to you to be able to go "home" again. But I hope that you will remember what you have meant to the Dallas Stars and how welcome you are here in Texas. There is an old saying that if you live long enough in Texas, it "takes" meaning that we consider you a naturalized Texan forever. We claim you. You are one of us. S'vil vous plait ne pas nous partin completement. Vous avez donne nous tellement plasir. Je vous remercier, monsieur. Vous serez dans nos coeurs a jamais. Au revoir, monsieur, until we see you again.

Pamela Farley

You've had a great career and will always be respected by all fans for all of your accomplishments throughout........
Good luck in the future..........

Guy-

Just a short note to say thank you for your strength and leadership, on and off the ice. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do, with a little nudge for you to stay in Dallas! Best to you and your family...

Clair

Our whole family hated reading about your retirement in the paper, but if anyone deserves it, it has to be you. You brought a spirit to the team that will never be matched. It won't be the same going to the games next season and not being able to yell "GUUYYYYY" everytime you get the puck. We hope that you take Mr. Gainey's offer to accept the job with the Stars, but if not, the best of luck to whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to go. You will never be forgotten...

Guy,

I'll always remember the Edmonton series in 98-99. Edmonton needed to pull Salo, as they were down by 1 late. But there you were, one-on-three in the Edmonton corner, pinning them against the boards for 30 seconds. Finally they froze the puck, and you emerged from the pile bleeding and grinning. That was the moment I knew that the Stanley Cup was destined for Dallas. To me, those thirty seconds embodied everything you are as a player. A smart, disciplined, tough, ageless player out there having the time of his life.

Thank you for all the great years and memories. I wish you success and happiness in your future endeavors, whatever and wherever they may be.

: I may be a Penguin fan but I know a great player when I see one! All the best in your retirement and expect to see you soon as a Hall of Fame inductee. ps. How about talking to Mario about a job! Merci Guy

Thank you for making the last few years of Stars hockey so memorable, with your obvious love of the game, incredible savvy and work ethic, finely honed face-off and PK skills, leading by example on the ice always, never giving up. Truly the heart of a champion, which the younger players can only hope to emulate. We will miss your infectious smile when things went right, and your passionate tirades to the refs and opposing team when something went wrong. We will all miss not having to worry about a face-off in our own zone at a key juncture, or going down 2 men on the PK -- because Carbo would take care of it! And you were always truly a class person.

I had really hoped that you would return after such an great season, after fighting against such difficulties every step of the way, incredibly setting a new NHL PK record in the process (probably the only reason the Stars were able to win their division with all the injuries!) and coming so close to winning the Cup again. I hoped you would give it one more try -- because you obviously still have the ability! But you could never play anything but flat out, and I know that had to be an increasing burden on your long-battered body. Thanks for playing as long as well as you did!

I wish you great success in whatever you do from here. But you leave a huge hole in the Stars, and in the hearts of your fans! Know that we will be rooting for you in the future, whether with the Stars (hopefully) or your beloved Canadiens.

Dear Mr.Carbonneau,
All the Stars fans are very upset that you decided to retire and I just
want to say thanks.
Thanks for being there for Belfour when ya`ll lost in the Finals! When the Stars were upset and not doing too well your 18 years of expierience helped alot! You are a great leader!
I hope to see your name in the hall of fame someday! I`m sure it will be there.
Congratulatins on your 3 Stanley Cups! You earned them!
I will miss you alot! No one can ever replace you!
Love,Your Fan,
Katherine

thanks for the years, we will miss seeing #21 on the home ice.

You will surely be missed by all of hockey. You are truly a master of the game.

Depuis les annees 80's j'ai suis ta carriere de pres. Je n'etais jamais vraiment un fan du Tri-Color mais depuis ton arrivee je l'ai devenu. J'etais tres decu de ton depart pour St Louis, mais tres content de ton arrivee au Texas. Depuis 5 ans deja je te suis dans les journaux, l'internet, et radio de ma demeure au Nouveau-Brunswick.

Je te remercie pour les souvenirs et d'avoir mis de la fierte au style de jeux defensif. Je joue moi-meme dans un "beer league" (#21) et j'essaye d'appliquer ton style a mon jeux mais c'est tres difficile et sous-estime. Dommage que les spectateurs n'apprecies pas les joueurs defensifs comme ils admirent les joueurs offensifs. Tes instincts defensifs et offensifs ont demontrer (surtout aux partisants du Texas) comment precieux que tu es a une equipe championne. Tu as demontrer que c'est cool et precieux d'etre un joueur defensivement conscient. Tu laisses le sport que tu aimes non pas comme la plupart des joueurs qui se retire, mais etant encore un des joueurs les plus utiles a ton equipe.

J'ai eu la chance de te voir jouer pour la 1ere fois en personne l'hiver dernier au Centre Molson (partie memorable) et puis quelques jours plus tard a Ottawa. Je dois aller a Dallas au mois de septembre en affaire et j'esperais bien de te revoir jouer au Reunion; malheuresement cela n'arrivera donc pas, mais je serai fier quand meme d'assister a une game dans ta derniere demeure.

Bonne chance Guy et milles mercis pour les souvenirs...nous t'oublieront jamais #21.