It’s been ten days since the world lost a one-of-a-kind man and the after-world gained an angel. Smiling while standing tall over us for 83 years, Mr. Jean Beliveau will now smile over us for eternity. One of the greatest men to ever play a professional sport perished last Tuesday and his passing has deeply sadenned fans from all over the hockey world and not just the Canadiens fans that watched him dominate the Old Forum ice for over twenty years.
Over the past week, the thousands of fans that stood patiently in line to pray for Beliveau in wake at the Cathedral-converted-Bell Center, then his elegant funeral mourned by countless athletes that played for other teams after his time, politicians, team mates and fans, were just reminders to how well respected Mr. Beliveau was not only as an athlete, but as a man too.
Since his passing, we heard countless recollections of what Mr. Beliveau meant to people. Philippe Couillard, the Premier of Quebec, who grew up during Beliveau’s captaincy days in the sixties, called a national funeral for his childhood hero.
“I was lucky enough to have (his autograph) when I was a kid. To me he summarizes elegance, confidence, an image of what we would like ourselves to be” Couillard said in front of the Canadiens mural with each of their 24 miniature Stanley Cups, on Sunday at the wake.
Guy Lafleur, who didn’t even play with Le Gros Bill- Mr. Beliveau retired in the spring of 1971 and Lafleur began his illustrious NHL career that fall- was seen kneeling in front of Mr. Beliveau’s casket, in tears. This was the perfect example to what Mr. Beliveau meant to Canadiens players that came after him. He was the face of the Montreal Canadiens. From the time he retired until his death, Mr. Beliveau was the grandfather of the Canadiens organization, the one who one can go to in seek of advice for their careers, lives or families.
In an interview from the mid-1990s, Mr. Beliveau said that he “would always have the line open” for young players to talk to. That’s just how he was as a man, so willing to give his time so others could be happy. There aren’t many hockey players like that now, in fact, not many humans are like that now in this narcissistic, self-absorbed, capitalist culture. Yes, some hockey stars are incredible humanitarians and greatly give back to the community but not one will ever measure up to Mr. Beliveau on and off the ice.
I was one of the unfortunate ones to have never met the number 4, it seems everybody I know has met Mr. Beliveau. But by watching him over the years on TV during so many Canadiens ceremonies leading up to their 100th anniversary, it felt like Mr. Beliveau was part of my life. His simple presence on my TV screen made it feel like he was in my living room, smiling, displaying his well-natured personality.
I watched the Habs’ 100th anniversary ceremony from December 2009, just a couple of days after Beliveau’s passing. With his number 4 in the rafters, the other great of hockey, Mr. Gordie Howe, a long time Detroit Red Wing stepped onto the Bell Center ice to a loud applause. He was holding Maurice Richard‘s jersey, then having passed nine years since, as he introduced his “good friend” Mr. Beliveau. The minute Beliveau walked onto the make-shift red carpet, you could just sense a feeling of calmness drape over the Bell Center crowd that night. As a local radio personality put it, they were “in the presence”– a term only used in England when the King or Queen is around.
The twinkle in his eyes, his perfect posture, his masterful wave to the crowd, everything about him made him the “presence.” Nobody will ever be like Mr. Beliveau in that way.
The city has seen many legends come and go- that’s what happens when your hockey club and religion is 105 years old. You can argue which players are the most legendary- Patrick Roy, Bob Gainey, Elmer Lach, Henri Richard, Saku Koivu, Georges Vezina, Bernie Geoffrion, Ken Dryden are all worthy of the upper echelon but then you look at the select few at the complete top. Lafleur and Howie Morenz were certainly superstars in their prime but then there’s two men that have become part of Montreal and Quebec culture- Maurice “the Rocket” Richard and “Le Gros Bill” Jean Beliveau.
Richard and Beliveau were almost opposite in personalities. Richard, was the fiery goal scorer who caused a riot on March 17, 1955 known as the “Richard Riot”, after he got into a fight with a linesman and was later suspended by the league. Beliveau, was the explosive centerman whose only crowds were drawn outside the Forum when he won 10 Stanley Cup titles as a member of the Montreal Canadiens (he added seven more as an executive).
Now, with the two gone from the lives of countless Canadiens fans, but never forgotten in their hearts, it’s safe to say the Mr. Beliveau is on the same legendary status as Richard is in Montreal. Prior to Le Gros Bill’s death, many believed the Rocket was the sole God of the Canadiens religion, but after so many people paid their respects to Mr. Beliveau in the past week, #4 and #9 are the same. Just listen to how silent the Bell Center was prior to Beliveau’s fairwell video on Tuesday. No white noise, no ignorant drunk fans, no coughing. Nothing. It’s never been that quiet, not even on a Tuesday at 12pm in July.
Mr. Beliveau gave time to his fans whatever the situation was. Not matter what, he always had time for autographs and later pictures. He would always stop to talk to any Canadiens alumni. This past week, fans and alumni gave back to Mr. Beliveau with the incredible tributes, stories of recollection and their presence at his wake.
Right now, with Richard and Morenz, he is thanking the fans.
And for the last word on Mr. Beliveau, as Yvan Cournoyer tearfully said; “bon voyage, mon capitaine”.
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