It was a busy news day for the Montreal Canadiens. But no story is more important than health of Jean Beliveau.
Beliveau is respected throughout the hockey world, from team to team and across many generations of fans. It’s not hard to understand why. His class is unparalleled.
I have been fortunate to meet Mr. Beliveau on a number of occasions. Like others, I cannot forget his crushing handshake, his sincerity and the feeling when his unique voice says your name.
Right now, Beliveau and his family deserve our thoughts and prayers. I encourage you to share your good wishes for the speedy recovery of this great Canadien.
Two stories from CTV follow.
Hockey legend Jean Beliveau in hospital after stroke
CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Thu. Jan. 21 2010 9:39 PM ET
Former Montreal Canadiens hockey great Jean Beliveau has been taken to hospital after he suffered a stroke Wednesday night.
Beliveau, 78, is being cared for in the neurological department at Montreal General Hospital.
There are no details yet concerning his condition, but Beliveau’s life is reportedly not in danger.
During his 20-year NHL career, Beliveau won the Stanley Cup 10 times. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and has been named the honourary captain of Canada’s 2010 men’s Olympic hockey team.
Beliveau played for the Montreal Canadiens for his entire career, earning 1,219 points in 1,125 games with the team. He retired from the NHL in 1971, without having represented Canada in any international tournament.
The first major international competition involving NHL players took place in 1972, which Canada beat the USSR to win.
Off the ice, Beliveau became known as “Gentleman Jean” for his honourable conduct and untarnished private life.
In 2005 he was named a Companion of the Order of Canada, and became an Officer of the National Order of Quebec a year later.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to Beliveau at a March 2007 dinner.
“For over half a century you have been one of the most respected ambassadors of Canada’s great game,” Harper said at the event. “But you have also been by example an ambassador of the ideals Canadians see in themselves and the qualities we wish to instil in our children.”
Hockey great Jean Beliveau has suffered a stroke.
Updated: Thu Jan. 21 2010 3:51:13 PM
ctvmontreal.ca
CTV News has learned the Montreal Canadiens legend suffered a stroke Wednesday night and was transported to the Montreal General Hospital.
He is now in the neurological department, and doctors believe at this point his life is not in danger.
They say they will have a better indication of the 78-year-old’s prognosis in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Donald Beauchamp, VP Communications with the Canadiens, will only say that Beliveau was taken to hospital for tests and would not confirm the reason for Beliveau’s hospitalization.
Late Thursday afternoon the MUHC issued the following statement: Jean Beliveau was admitted overnight to the Montreal General Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) for investigation and is currently in stable condition. More details will be released if they become available.
Former teammate Rejean Houle was supposed to meet Beliveau this past Monday, but Beliveau had to cancel because of a doctor’s appointment.
Houle found out this morning that Beliveau was in hospital when he talked to his daughter, Helene.
Meanwhile another former teammate, Dickie Moore, was not aware Beliveau was in hospital, and told CTV News: “I am relieved to hear it’s not life threatening.”
Hockey legend
Beliveau was one of the greatest members of the Canadiens.
He played on ten Stanley Cup-winning teams, and has been a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1972.
“Le Gros Bill” was called up to play for the Canadiens in the 1950-51 and 1952-53 seasons, finally joining the club full-time for the 1953-54 season.
By the end of 1971, Beliveau had scored 507 goals, made 712 assists in regular season games, with another 79 goals and 97 in the playoffs.
He served as captain for 10 years — a record tied by Saku Koivu.
When he retired from the ice, his jersey was too, with #4 placed in the rafters on Oct. 9, 1971.
Beliveau then went on to join the Canadiens management team, and as a result his name appears on the Stanley Cup 17 times — ten times as a player, and seven as an executive.
Beliveau is also the honourary captain of the 2010 Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, and of course, his statue is one of four that stands outside the Bell Centre.
Life outside hockey
Beliveau was twice offered a seat in the Senate, and twice turned it down.
He did accept a nomination to the Order of Canada.
In June 2009, Beliveau teamed up with CTV anchor Mutsumi Takahashi to be the public face of the superhospital’s fundraising campaign
At the time, Beliveau said that he was inspired to join the campaign because of the cancer treatment he received at the MUHC.
He has long been active in health care.
Back in 1981, Beliveau and Claude Mouton started the Canadiens blood drive, which is one of the more popular drives benefiting Hema Quebec.
In 2006, Beliveau auctioned off some of his memorabilia to benefit his foundation for disabled children.
Other health issues
In 2000, Beliveau was successfully treated for a malignant cancerous tumour.
The battle was difficult — Beliveau reportedly lost 30 pounds while being treated.
In December 2008, Believeau was taken to hospital after collapsing while attending the funeral service for Father Paul Aquin.
He was soon released, having suffered nothing more than a drop in blood pressure.