Jean Béliveau

All these years later, the name Jean Béliveau still carries the same fascination for his Montréal public. This is due in part to the example that he set for all those who dream of glory in sports and also to the fact that he was an accomplished businessman who earned the esteem and admiration of the entire community. A member of the management team of the Club de hockey Canadien, Jean Béliveau, Senior Vice-President, Social Affairs, gave of himself with the energy and dynamism of a young rookie to the task of helping many youth organizations across Quebec and Canada.

In 1971, Jean Béliveau retired from hockey. On March 24 of that year, his faithful public paid him an affectionate and generous tribute. But rather than accept the numerous gifts bestowed upon him, he asked that a fund be created to help underprivileged youth. The Jean Béliveau Foundation, of which he was president, brings much-needed help to hundreds of youth organizations, providing them with the necessary resources for the physical and social well-being of the young people who depend on them.

Born in Trois-Rivières in 1931, Jean Béliveau began his hockey career in 1948 in Victoriaville. After spending four years with various hockey clubs in Québec City, he joined the National Hockey League and signed his first contract with the Club de hockey Canadien of Montréal. For 18 years, his ability, talent and leadership kept him at the forefront of his team. Selected 10 times for an All-Star Team, he was the second-best scorer in the Canadiens’ history, with 507 goals and 712 assists for a total of 1,219 points; and he held the record as the best scorer ever in the Stanley Cup series with 79 goals and 97 assists, a total of 176 points. Winner of the Hart, Ross and Conn Smythe trophies, he led his team to 10 Stanley Cup victories and to as many League championships.

His career as a businessman was equally successful. Jean Béliveau was a member of the Board of Directors of Alliance Mutuelle-Vie, Carena Bancorp Inc., Dominion Textile Limited, Investors Growth Fund of Canada Ltd., Molson Companies, Royal Trust, The International Group Inc., Acier Leroux Inc. and Canadian Reassurance. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1969. He received an honorary degree in physical education from the University of Moncton in 1972 and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the same year. In 1983, he was the first recipient of the Portage Award, named for the therapeutic centre devoted to fighting drug abuse, in recognition of his unfailing support of youth.

Jean Béliveau married Elise Couture in 1953 and they had one daughter, Helene.

Jean Béliveau died in 2014. He was inducted into the Academy of Great Montrealers in the Social category in 1986 and was named a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal in 2016.