Jean Beliveau, NHL legend, dies at 83

Jean Beliveau, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, passed away Tuesday at the age of 83. He spent his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens, writing his name into the record books and winning 10 Stanley Cup championships as a player.

Over his 18 year career, Beliveau recorded 507 goals, 712 assists and 1,219 points. He ranks second in Canadiens history in total points.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound center led Montreal to five straight Stanley Cup titles from 1956-60.

“He was a great player,” said Johnny Bucyk, of his longtime foe, reports The Boston Globe. “He was a real gentleman on the ice. He was a gentleman off the ice. He had a lot of skills. A lot of talent. He was so big and so hard to play against. He was a great competitor. He was one of a kind.”
Beliveau, a native of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, called it quits on the ice in 1971. The Canadiens wasted little to retire his jersey (No. 4), as they did so on Oct. 9, 1971. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 after being waived of the three-year waiting period.

Beliveau remained with the organization, as he served as the team’s senior vice president of corporate affairs. During his time in the front office, Montreal claimed seven more Stanley Cup championships.

"Even today, nearly 40 years after his retirement,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, according to NHL.com. “Jean Beliveau is greeted with the same reverence wherever he goes. He inspires in others the same love for hockey that always has been his trademark -- and always will be."