Former Canadien Jean Beliveau, 83, dies
In this Nov. 25, 2009, file photo, Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau poses at his home in St. Lambert, Quebec. Credit: AP / Graham Hughes
MONTREAL -- Former Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau died Tuesday. He was 83. The team confirmed the death of the Hall of Fame center and one of the most beloved players in Canadiens history.
Beliveau spent 18 full seasons with the Canadiens from 1953-71 after his two amateur tryouts.
In 1,125 games, he scored 507 goals, set up 712 others and finished with 1,219 points. He played in 14 All-Star Games, won the Hart Trophy as league MVP twice (1956 and 1964), the Art Ross Trophy as top scorer in 1956, and the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1965.
He then moved seamlessly into an executive position with the club.
Beliveau was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. -- AP
