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Post by Skilly on Dec 2, 2014 23:45:13 GMT -5
Sad sad news .... RIP Le Gros Bill
One of the best ambassadors of the sport ever
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Post by duster on Dec 2, 2014 23:58:36 GMT -5
A class act and a terrific player. I remember meeting him in my grandmother's living room in Trois-Rivieres when I was six years old. To me, he personified the Montreal Canadiens like no one else.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 2, 2014 23:58:56 GMT -5
Very sad news.
But WHAT A LIFE!
He was THE MAN forever!
While playing for the amateur Quebec Aces, the Habs had his pro rights...so they bought the entire Quebec Senior League and turned it pro to force his hand.
He scored the 1965 Stanley Cup winning goal early in Game 7....a 4-0 win over Chicago.
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Post by UberCranky on Dec 3, 2014 0:05:41 GMT -5
Wow...this is sad.
R.I.P....and don't forget to look down and help guide them to a cup.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 0:24:18 GMT -5
This funeral will be beyond HUGE in Montreal....let alone the province and the ROC. We knew he hadn't been well for some time...but no update in recent months.
So glad I had the chance to meet him at a signing in 2007....and have him humbly tell me (and others near the front of the lineup) how he led the Habs to that 7-5 comeback win vs. Boston in Game 2, 1971.
"I'll never forget that game!" he smiled.
He'll never be forgotten, that's for sure!
================================
The Habs will be wearing a #4 patch for the rest of the year, no doubt.
What a ceremony and game that'll be vs. Vancouver next Tuesday, Dec. 9th.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 0:44:12 GMT -5
Nice Video HereAt :41 seconds...the eventual 1965 Cup winner in colour. At 3:19...I think that's his OT goal in the 1969 semi-finals that eliminated Boston. Just a small clip, could've been from another game...but Henri Richard's reaction (jumping and hugging Beliveau) says it was a big goal.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 3, 2014 2:18:18 GMT -5
We've lost a truly great man.
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Post by HFTO on Dec 3, 2014 2:55:12 GMT -5
....extremely sad sad news I also had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman back in 1990 he is definitely part of my first real hockey recollections R.I.P #4
HFTO
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Post by franko on Dec 3, 2014 6:52:52 GMT -5
RIP #4 my favourite Hab (and street hockey persona).
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Post by blny on Dec 3, 2014 7:06:34 GMT -5
At a loss for words really. We all knew his health was failing, but I had sort of forgotten about it with Howe's healthy dominating headlines.
I only ever saw video of him playing. My own memories of him are more of his days as an ambassador for the sport, the team, and the city. He represented all better than anyone ever could.
RIP Jean.
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Post by franko on Dec 3, 2014 7:11:24 GMT -5
At a loss for words really. We all knew his health was failing, but I had sort of forgotten about it with Howe's healthy dominating headlines. that crossed my mind too. but isn't that just the way he was? he was himself, never tried to dominate the headlines.
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Post by blny on Dec 3, 2014 7:20:59 GMT -5
At a loss for words really. We all knew his health was failing, but I had sort of forgotten about it with Howe's healthy dominating headlines. that crossed my mind too. but isn't that just the way he was? he was himself, never tried to dominate the headlines. Completely. He was the anti 'reality tv star'. Never seeking the spot light. The spot light sought him. Here's Farber's piece for tsn.ca www.tsn.ca/canadiens-legend-beliveau-passes-away-at-age-83-1.150356
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Post by BadCompany on Dec 3, 2014 7:29:38 GMT -5
A great man on the ice.
An even greater man off the ice.
Hopefully he keeps attending the home games...
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Dec 3, 2014 7:30:53 GMT -5
Another gentleman from a generation of gentlemen. Thank you Mr Beliveau.
RIP.
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 3, 2014 7:33:58 GMT -5
RIP M. Beliveau... I never had the opportunity to watch him play live but I've seen enough video to know this man was a true athlete. He played hockey and baseball. He was the consummate professional, as an athlete, as an ambassador and as a human being. He turned down the offer of Governor General when Jean Chretien offered it to him because his daughter had been through a hard time and he wanted to be with her and his granddaughters. I will miss watching him at the games and seeing him in ceremonies. I am positive that the Habs will do the ceremony for Le Gros Bill with the class and style the man so epitomized. Great video VideoAnother great video by Stephen Brunt Stephen BruntReally nice stories, especially from PK Video
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 7:52:17 GMT -5
Will they leave his Bell Centre seat vacant?
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Post by blny on Dec 3, 2014 7:53:54 GMT -5
Will they leave his Bell Centre seat vacant? He wouldn't want that, but they should for a few games.
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Post by habernac on Dec 3, 2014 8:05:58 GMT -5
So sad to hear this, met him 4 years ago, what a gentleman! RIP, Jean.
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Post by Disp on Dec 3, 2014 8:21:57 GMT -5
Like others have said, so sad. A big part of the habs family, which we all feel a part of, gone.
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 3, 2014 8:42:25 GMT -5
Will they leave his Bell Centre seat vacant? He wouldn't want that, but they should for a few games. They should put the #4 on it and that seat be made available to different charities.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 8:51:32 GMT -5
That's a great idea, WD.
I'd just referenced his autobiography last week to get his thoughts on Gilles Tremblay….and one thing struck me. He dedicated many pages to shine the spotlight on/give credit to his teammates.
The consummate leader/teammate. The epitome of the Montreal Canadiens.
Can you imagine the emotion of Henri Richard, Dickie Moore, Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Lemaire, and all his fellow warriors….
Beliveau won 10 Cups as a player….and was involved in the next 7 as part of the Canadiens' organization.
17 of the 24 Cups…
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Post by blny on Dec 3, 2014 8:52:28 GMT -5
Ditto. Nice idea WD.
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Post by 24in93 on Dec 3, 2014 9:03:03 GMT -5
I got the chance to meet him at a Habs/Leafs game back in 2006 at the Bell Centre. I was fortunate enough to be sitting in front of him just behind the Habs bench.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 9:23:37 GMT -5
The Saturday I met him back in 2007--April 7th--was the day of the final game of the regular season for the Habs.
Montreal @ Toronto. We needed a win to make the playoffs.
I remember the dichotomy of that situation.
My parting words to M. Beliveau that day were, "Big game tonight….I wish you could lace em up!"
He said, "Me too! I loved to play in games like that."
Later that night, down 6-5 (the eventual final score) …Carbonneau benched our star, Kovalev, for most of the third period.
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Post by Polarice on Dec 3, 2014 9:41:11 GMT -5
Never got to see him play, but he was one of my favorite Habs.....that should say a lot about the man and the hockey player!! I will never forget meeting him!!
RIP Mr. Beliveau and thank you!!
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 9:42:57 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 10:01:34 GMT -5
Sad day in sports. I wonder if Minnesota will do a tribute tonight.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Dec 3, 2014 10:08:51 GMT -5
Sad day in sports. I wonder if Minnesota will do a tribute tonight. I can't remember what other clubs did for Maurice Richard when he passed ... was he honoured in other rinks, does anyone remember? Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on Dec 3, 2014 10:18:59 GMT -5
Here's Big Jean signing my late 50's/early 60s "Canadiens vs. All Stars" tin dart game. April 7, 2007 in Cambridge, Ontario. As I set it down in front of him, his eyes brightened, "Oh…what is this?" I told him that Eagle Toys had produced this dart game and a table top hockey game (which I've also collected) in honour of their 5-Cup streak. He said, "Well, I've never seen this before." "It'd be an honour if you'd sign it…of course at centre!" "Certainly, I'd be delighted to do that!" Then I asked him about the 7-5 comeback and Game 7 in Chicago, 1971. I've recounted that experience on this board a few times.
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Post by jkr on Dec 3, 2014 10:57:36 GMT -5
I never met him though I was lucky enough to see him play. Feeling really emotional about this.
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