Jean Beliveau was a professional hockey player who played his entire 20-year (1950-1971) career with the Montreal Canadiens, and is currently an executive and goodwill ambassador to the game. During many Montreal Canadiens home games, Beliveau takes his seat three rows behind the Habs bench at the Bell Centre and whenever he is shown on the screen, he always receives an ovation.
Beliveau won a record 17 Stanley Cups, ten as a player and seven as an executive. He earned a total of 1395 points with the Habs (1219 in the regular season and 176 in the playoffs), which is first overall for the team.http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/records/regular_skaters His jersey #4 was retired on October 9, 1971 and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
On January 20, 2010, Beliveau suffered a stroke but has since recovered.
Awards and Accomplishments
- 10 Stanley Cup wins as a player: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/player/Jean-Beliveau
- 7 Stanley Cup wins as an executive: 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993http://www.nhl.com/cup/fun_facts.html
- 2 Hart Memorial Trophy winner: 1955-1956 and 1963-1964
- Art Ross Trophy: 1955-1956
- Conn Smythe Trophy: 1964-1965
- Captain of the team from 1961 until his retirement in 1971
Le Gros Bill
Le Gros Bill was the greatest ambassador the game of hockey as ever known. He showed class and dignity wherever he went. He still gets a great ovation as he takes his seat three rows behind the Habs bench. Here he is receiving a long overdue NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009
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References
Fast Facts
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Full Name
Jean Arthur Beliveau
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Born
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Nickname
Le Gros Bill
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Jersey Number
4
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Hockey Hall of Fame
Elected in 1972
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Fact:
Captain of the team for 10 years, tied for the longest tenure of anyone in Montreal Canadiens history (with Saku Koivu)
