Jean Béliveau was one of the greatest players to ever lace up skates in the NHL. Known as Le Gros Bill, he was loved not only by his fans and teammates, but by players on other teams for his class and grace. This is the story of one amazing player. 🧵 1/17
First NHL player on the cover of Sports Illustrated (Jan. 23, 1956).
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Jean Béliveau was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. When he was young, the family moved several times. In each place, his father made a backyard rink where Béliveau learned to play hockey. He did not play organized hockey until he was 12. 🧵 2/17
When he was 15, he was a star with the Victoriaville Panthers. Canadiens GM Frank Selke sought to sign him to have him within the Canadiens organization. To that end, Béliveau signed a B-form, which stated that he agreed to play for Montreal if he went pro. 🧵 3/17
In 1950-51, he played two games for Montreal, recording two points. In 1952-53, he played three games, recording five points. At the same time, he dominated the Quebec Senior Hockey League with the Quebec Aces. 🧵 4/17
Béliveau attracted so many fans that the Colisée de Québec was built and earned the name The House That Béliveau Built. With Béliveau not seeming to want to play at the professional level, the Canadiens did something extreme. 🧵 5/17
To force Béliveau to sign with the Canadiens, the team bought the entire Quebec Senior Hockey League. This turned the league professional and with his B-Form agreement, Béliveau had to sign with the Canadiens. They signed him to $105,000 over five years. 🧵 6/17
At 6'3" and 205 pounds, Béliveau was a fast skater with great stickhandling and a highly-accurate shot. He quickly emerged as one of the best players in the league, on a team that was stacked with future Hall of Fame talent. 🧵 7/17
He won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer in 1955-56, along with his first Hart Trophy as league MVP. He won a second Hart in 1963-64. From 1953 to 1969, he played in 13 All-Star Games. He also won the first Conn Smythe Trophy in 1964-65. 🧵 8/17
With the Canadiens, he won 10 Stanley Cups as a player, including five in a row from 1956 to 1960. In 1961, his teammates chose him to be team captain following the retirement of Maurice Richard. Béliveau captained the Canadians until his retirement a decade later. 🧵 9/17
Hap Day said when asked if there was a way to stop Beliveau on the ice: "There is. But it isn’t legal.” Bobby Hull said he was so respected by others in the league that players felt bad taking the puck from him in a game. 🧵 10/17
Béliveau retired after the 1970-71 season. In his career, he had 507 goals and 1,219 points. The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its usual three-year waiting period for induction for him. As an executive with the Canadiens, he won another seven Stanley Cups. 🧵 11/17
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