Jean Béliveau, NHL Legend, Dies At 83

Jean Béliveau, Montreal Canadiens hockey legend, died on Tuesday at 83 following various health issues and a stroke in 2012.

Jean Béliveau Dies At 83

Béliveau made a name for himself when he began playing professional hockey in 1950, and he went on to become one of the best players in the National Hockey League. Béliveau won the first Conn Smythe Trophy after helping the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup. The trophy has since been given out annually to the Stanley Cup M.V.P. Throughout his career, Béliveau won 10 Stanley Cups, held the position of Montreal Canadiens captain for a decade and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

Béliveau played center and was known for his impressive ability to score – at the time of his retirement he ranked third for the most goals scored in the National Hockey League with 507. Following his retirement, Béliveau continued to be a presence in the hockey world as a team ambassador and supporter of the Canadiens. “I guess you could say I’ve spent my life with this team,” Béliveau said in 2009.

Though he remained a staple of the hockey world, Béliveau also founded a charity following his retirement, called the Jean Béliveau Foundation, in 1971. In 1993, the foundation became a part of the Society for Disabled Children.

Canada, NHL Remember Béliveau

Béliveau was beloved by teammates and admirers, and known as a “classy” public figure both on and off the ice. Former teammate Dickie Moore, who played alongside Béliveau as members of the 1985 Canadiens’ All-Star team, recalled, “Jean was always worried about everyone’s well-being, including his teammates. When someone was having a hard time, he always tried to find a way to help out. That’s the type of person he was. He was a great man.”

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson announced that the team would be leading tributes to Béliveau over the next week. “We’re going to give all of our fans an opportunity to celebrate such a great man,” Molson said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement mourning Béliveau, saying, “Mr. Béliveau will be remembered as a hockey giant who inspired a nation with his outstanding skill, humility and pure love of the game.”

It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of Jean Béliveau. He was a true legend and a class act. My thoughts are with his family.

— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) December 3, 2014

Béliveau is survived by his wife, Elise, daughter Helene and her daughters, Mylene and Magalie.