Jean Béliveau, the ultimate Canadien and Canadian

Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau, the ultimate Canadian, dies at 83; games to watch; more NHL news, notes, highlights.

Author:
Allan Muir
Publish date:
Dec 3, 2014

Off The Draw

In its obituary of Jean Béliveau, the CBC offered a quote that perfectly captured the essence of the late Canadiens legend.

“Meeting him is not like meeting other stars from the old days,” Béliveau's former linemate, Gilles Tremblay, said. “When people see Bobby Hull, they say: 'Hi Bobby.' When they meet Big Jean, it's always: 'Hi, Mr. Béliveau.' He commands respect.”

That's exactly the way it was with Béliveau. He was one of the rare people who truly had presence. When he walked into a room you sensed it. When you met him or spoke with him, you knew you were with someone special. He was a giant of a man and he cut an imposing figure on the ice, but it was something else, something inside, that made him larger than life.

He was, by every measure, the ultimate Canadian. He was everything that men in my home country strive to be. Gentlemanly. Measured. Debonaire. Accomplished. Modest. Commanding. Polite. Sharp. Well spoken, in both official languages. He was royalty. Our royalty.

Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau dies at 83

Béliveau’s presence was why so many Canadians desperately wanted him to accept the position of Governor General when it was offered to him back in 1994. It is a largely ceremonial role—he would have been the Queen's constitutional representative in Canada—but it's also one that would have made him the face of the country internationally.

And who better to represent us than the very best of us?

SI Vault: Grand Jean a Mighty Man is He (5/5/69)

Family issues forced him to decline the offer, but Béliveau continued to represent the ideals that Canadians hold dear.

An example: It was 2003, and the U.S. had just invaded Iraq. The invasion wasn't popular in Canada—the government chose not to join the coalition—but it was especially reviled in Quebec. There were a number of anti-war marches, but only one spontaneous protest caught the attention of all sides of the debate across North America.

It was on March 20, when the Islanders visited the Bell Centre, prompting the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner. From the song’s opening note, a sizable number in the crowd seized the opportunity to vent their frustration with the American government.

It wasn't everybody, of course, but the response was loud and angry. And it only seemed to grow as the anthem went on, almost drowning out the singer.

Hockey world reacts to passing of Montreal great Jean Béliveau

It was a brief protest, but its significance was quickly magnified, earning airtime and ink around North America. The incident was an embarrassment for the NHL and it weighed heavily on the Canadiens, an organization that has always held itself to high standards.

Montreal knew that it would be closely watched when it took the Bell Centre ice two nights later, on Hockey Night In Canada no less, for a game against another American team, the Hurricanes. They couldn't risk another demonstration, so they turned to the one man who could best put the moment into perspective.

Béliveau.

His recorded message was played on the scoreboard before the singing of the anthems. And it was perfect. There was no admonition of the crowd, no entreaties for respect or for fans to be on their best behavior. He simply asked everyone to join in the singing of both songs to celebrate the game of hockey.

“During these difficult times, many have an opinion on world affairs,” he said. “Nevertheless, the Montreal Canadiens have been proud to honor both Canada and the United States prior to games for over 50 years and they hope to maintain this outstanding display of sportsmanship.”

That was all it took. Sure, there were a few scattered boos during the opening line of the U.S. anthem, but they were quickly hushed by a crowd that had taken Béliveau's words to heart.

He had brought out the best in us.

Because he was, after all, the very best of us.

Watch: Clip of Jean Béliveau on classic TV show To Tell The Truth

GALLERY: Classic photos of Jean Béliveau

Classic Photos of Jean Béliveau

Untitled Image — Hy Peskin for Sports Illustrated

Jean Béliveau was the first hockey player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This Jan. 23, 1956 cover was hardly a jinx, as Beliveau went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (Top Point Scorer) following the season.

Jean Béliveau, playing with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Senior Hockey League (QSHL), looks to shoot the puck into the net in Dec. 1952.

Jean Béliveau lies in bed reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina with a cigar in his mouth in Dec. 1952.

Yale Joel/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Jean Béliveau greets young fans at an outdoor skating rink in Dec. 1952.

Jean Béliveau reads a newspaper at the counter of a diner in Montreal in Dec. 1952.

Jean Béliveau aka "Le Gros Bill" mixes it up with Red Wings left wing Terrible Ted Lindsay during a game in Montreal on Feb. 17, 1955.

Jean Béliveau flies through the air while shooting the puck against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 20, 1955.

Jean Béliveau checks Rangers defenseman Lou Fontinato into the boards during a game in New York on Nov. 27, 1955.

Jean Béliveau shoots the puck past Red Wings goalie Glenn Hall as Gordie Howe (9) and Henri Richard sprawl on the ice in the second period of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on April 10, 1956. Montreal won the game 3-1, taking the Cup.

The Canadiens' captain and conquering hero waves to the crowd at the Stanley Cup victory parade in Montreal in mid-April 1956.

Jean Béliveau looks to shoot the puck past Rangers defenseman Bill Gadsby during a game in New York on Oct. 24, 1956.

Jean Béliveau in the Canadiens' locker room before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Montreal on Jan. 25, 1958.

Jean Béliveau and Maurice Richard (left) smile in the dressing room with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins 5-3 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Boston Garden on April 20, 1958.

Jean Béliveau holds the Conn Smythe Trophy in the locker room after the Canadiens defeated the Blackhawks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on May 1, 1965. He became the first player to receive the trophy, which is awarded to the postseason's Most Valuable Player.

Jean Béliveau flicks the puck between the legs of Maple Leafs goalie Johnny Bower as defenseman Tim Horton looks on during a game on Feb. 22, 1967 in Toronto.

The Hockey Hall of Famer in 1970.

Jean Béliveau scores on Bruins goalie Eddie Johnston as Beliveau's teammate Yvan Cournoyer (12) looks on during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals in Boston on April 8, 1971.

Jean Béliveau holds the Stanley Cup after his final game, a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on May 18, 1971.

Jean Béliveau sits between Ted Lindsay (left) and Guy Lafleur as the two shake hands at an award ceremony in the late 1970s.

Jean Béliveau (front center) poses with former Canadiens (left to right) Dickie Moore, Don Marshall, Jean-Guy Talbot, Henri Richard and Tom Johnson during the "Salute to the Stanley Cup Legends" in Ottawa on June 1, 2007.

Jean Béliveau poses with his NHL Lifetime Achievement Award after the 2009 NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 18, 2009.