by Erica, Staff Writer and Fundraising Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC. — This week’s episode of 24CH wasn’t formatted quite like the rest of the season. There were some glimpses of what the show is usually about – players hitting the road, game highlights, third-period comebacks – but this episode focused on a team, franchise, city, and league mourning the loss of Jean Béliveau. Here’s the most important lesson we learned this week:
Being a Montreal Canadien isn’t just about hockey. The episode opens with a beautiful goal by Béliveau over Chicago – a reminder that he was, indeed, a tremendously talented player. Throughout the episode, we’re reminded of his accomplishments as a player: trophy wins and Stanley Cup parades. His impact as a public figure is also celebrated by people who knew him as an ambassador for the game.
Béliveau is remembered across the NHL. As the Canadiens prepare for a game at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota, we hear audio of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman remembering Béliveau for his “elegance and skill, humility and humanity.” The Canadiens chose to honour his memory at that night’s game by putting decals on their helmets, which they were able to have printed the same day in Minnesota. The Wild honoured Béliveau’s memory with a pregame ceremony, and O Canada sung in French – a gesture that really resonated with some fans and employees of the organization.
P.K. Subban remembers being ten years old and meeting Jean Béliveau through the hockey team he played for in Mississauga. Most of the young players on the team saw him and immediately recognized him, despite having been born after Béliveau retired. Their parents were too shy to speak to him at first – except for Subban’s father, Karl, who excitedly introduced himself and shook his hand. Subban says that that moment, seeing his father so awestruck, is a major reason why he chose to grow up a Montreal Canadiens fan. According to Karl Subban, “P.K. didn’t always listen to Mom and Dad, but he would certainly listen to Mr. Béliveau.”
Dr. David Mulder has a long history with Béliveau, having met him during the first game he worked as the Canadiens’ team medic. Dr. Mulder recounts just how much Béliveau cared about his community, by giving his time to help raise money for Montreal’s hospitals and children. He also knew quite a bit about the medical troubles that Béliveau encountered later in life, and was amazed at how hard he worked to recover from major strokes.
He is remembered by Canadiens employees at every level – Bell Centre security guard Mario Brousseau had a special fondness for Mr. Béliveau. Team owner Geoff Molson thought of him as an extended family member. Molson acknowledges that Béliveau helped to make the Canadiens organization feel more like a family – people have offered him their condolences. Molson’s father, Eric Molson, describes Béliveau as a loyal, trusted friend.
The impact of Jean Béliveau, our captain, is seen not only in flags flown at half-mast or memorial statues. It’s seen and heard in the words of those who knew him, and those who grew up wanting to be like him. In the words of Gary Bettman, “hockey is better because of his distinction and grace.” It’s clear that the game has changed in the decades since Béliveau hung up his skates, but this season’s Canadiens will take up the torch and hold it high.
