One of the NHL’s most remarkable heroes, Béliveau remains that rarest of hockey greats – an ambassador who personifies orderly conduct at all times. As Wayne Gretzky so eloquently put it: “Elegant on the ice, distinguished off it.”
Known the world over as “Gentleman Jean,” and respected as much for his tremendous strength of character as for his athletic prowess, Béliveau was offered a contract for the Triple-A Reds weeks after his 16th birthday – but his father insisted he finish high school instead.
The next year, Béliveau joined the Victoriaville Panthers for two seasons in the Quebec Junior Hockey League, followed by two more seasons with the QJHL’s Quebec Citadelle, a move that linked him contractually to the Montreal Canadiens. Before the junior draft was established, NHL teams usually held the rights to junior prospects in their jurisdiction. When the Canadiens decided to exercise their option in the early 1950s, team management had no idea it was about to become embroiled in one of the most bizarre episodes in NHL history.
Béliveau wanted to stay in Quebec City. Provincial legislators entered the fray and threatened to suspend the Montreal Forum’s liquor license if the Canadiens forced the 18-year-old to sign. The Habs were left with only one option: buy the entire senior league and turn it professional just to acquire Béliveau.
And so they did.
Béliveau began his first full season with the Canadiens in the fall of 1953 and remained with the Habs for his entire professional career.
Skating alongside such legends as Maurice (Rocket) Richard, Dickie Moore, and Bernie (Boom Boom) Geoffrion, Béliveau played in 1,287 NHL games, including 162 playoff games; scored 586 goals and 809 assists; racked up three four-goal games, 18 three-goal games, and 80 game-winning goals; served as team captain for 10 seasons; was named to the NHL all-star team 10 times; scored 25 or more goals in a season 12 times; appeared in the playoffs for a record-setting 16 consecutive years; and helped lead the Canadiens to 10 Stanley Cup victories.
In 1956, Béliveau was awarded both the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s scoring champ and the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. The Hart Trophy was his again in 1964. The following year, he became the first recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.
Béliveau retired in 1971 and spent the rest of his working years in senior executive positions with the Canadiens and other major corporations.
