Jean Béliveau
Jean Arthur " Le Gros Bill" Béliveau, CC, GOQ ( born August 31, 1931 in Trois- Rivières, Quebec ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played from 1950 to 1971 for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He is a Canadian "icon" of the sport.
Career
Already a star at a young age, Béliveau won in the Quebec Senior Hockey League championship with the Quebec Aces. In 1953, he joined the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. Three years later, in 1956, won the Art Ross Trophy Béliveau as top scorer of the league and has won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the best player in the league award (Most Valuable Player). During his 18 year career in Montreal he played ten times for the Stanley Cup and was five times team captain. He was an outstanding skater and a great leader both on and off the ice. Admired and respected by the fans, his teammates and opponents, he was the first player to the Conn Smythe Trophy for his outstanding qualities in the Stanley Cup play-offs won in 1965.
Jean Béliveau retired after the end of the 1970/71 season back as the best scorer of his team and the best scorer in the NHL play-offs of all time. He scored 507 goals and 712 assists, which were 1,219 points in 1,125 NHL regular season games plus 70 goals and 97 assists (176 points) in 162 playoff games. He played in 13 NHL All- Star Games.
After his active period was over, Béliveau devoted to charity and founded in 1971 the " Jean Béliveau Foundation". In 1993 he transferred the Foundation in the " Society for Disabled Children ".
Jean Béliveau many awards were presented, including several honorary doctorates at Canadian universities and the Loyola Medal in 1995. He was a member of the National Order of Quebec and is the recipient of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award in Canada. In 1994 he was offered the position of Governor General of Canada, but he refused. 2001, his name was immortalized on Canada 's Walk of Fame, the same year he was still honored with a portrait on a Canadian postage stamp.
In November 2004, Jean Béliveau supported the position of the NHL in the negotiations with the players union NHLPA about a new collective bargaining agreement (see NHL 2004/ 05). He argued that the behavior of the players would damage the sport and the league.
He was honored with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Career Stats
( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )