Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau honoured on 80th birthday –NHL News Update
Montreal Canadiens, one of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) original six teams, has produced a number of legendary player’s overtime since it became a major league affiliate, but none have been able to take the place of Jean Beliveau, who was honoured
for his contribution to the sport on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, on the day of his 80th birthday.
Not only was Beliveau a great ice hockey player that restructured the face of the sport to a much softer and classier image but he is also regarded as a role model by most.
"Any parent could use Jean Beliveau as a pattern or role model", NHL President Clarence Campbell said at Beliveau's retirement ceremony. "He provides hockey with a magnificent image. I couldn't speak more highly of anyone who has ever been associated with
our game than I do of Jean".
Beliveau was selected by Montreal Canadiens before the 1950-1951 regular season began after noticing his spectacular performances with minor league teams, Victoriaville Panthers, Quebec Citadelles and Quebec Aces.
The Trois-rivieres, QC, Canada native played only two matchups during his first professional season but still put up two points (1 goal, 1 assist) during the games.
He went on to become one of the top scorers in Montreal Canadiens history and will always be remembered for his numerous achievements over time. Beliveau’s best season came during 1958-1959 when he scored 91 points (45 goals, 46 assists) in only 64 games
played.
"The Canadiens of that time were known for our skating", Beliveau said in a past interview. "We were a very good skating team, and we were known as an offensive-minded team. We had the caliber of talented players to play that type of game”.
Up until his Stanley Cup winning postseason in 1971, after which he retired, Jean Beliveau participated in 1,125 matchups and recorded one of the best major league record in history by having scored 1,219 points (507 goals, 712 assists) throughout.
Now at the age of 80, Jean Beliveau is not the only one still looking back at his playing history, fans all around the league still remember and look up to the player as one of there role models to this day.
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