Hockey Legend Jean Beliveau dead at age 83

Published on December 03, 2014

Hockey Legend Jean Beliveau dead at age 83

MONTREAL - It is hard to imagine a classier hockey player, on and off the ice, than Jean Beliveau.

A supremely skilled centre for 18 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, the 83-year-old Beliveau was also a gracious spokesman for the team and the sport.

With his death confirmed late Tuesday by a spokesman for the Canadiens, the NHL club lost the man who embodied all the attributes of their dynasty teams of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s talent, flair, intelligence and success.

He scored 507 goals, won 10 Stanley Cups and was captain for 10 seasons before his retirement in 1971, then moved seamlessly into an executive position with the club.

Words like class and gentleman were attached to Beliveau by virtually everyone who met him.

"Meeting him is not like meeting other stars from the old days," said Beliveaus former linemate Gilles Tremblay.

"When people see Bobby Hull, they say: 'Hi Bobby.' When they meet Big Jean, it's always: 'Hi, Mr. Beliveau.' He commands respect."

Canadiens fans who revered Beliveau were given a scare in 2000 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer, but after losing 30 pounds during treatment and enduring "the worst period of my life," he recovered and was soon back in his familiar spot attending nearly every home game with his wife Elise in the seats among the fans. He also survived a stroke in 2012.

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Hockey Legend Jean Beliveau dead at age 83