Hono(u)ring Monsieur Jean Bélive4u

Last night, hockey lost a legend, one of the best to ever grace the earth both on and off the ice. Jean Béliveau was an icon after his playing days as both a man in the front office and having continued his charity work. He is likely the most decorated player in the sport and in an elite group among all sports. From playing alone, a ring for each of his fingers and both thumbs. On top of that adding seven more from his other involvement with the organization. You can only imagine the personal accolades he racked up during those ten cup years and all else. There is no need to list them - Jean wouldn't have it any other way. Just as in the community, he gave his all for the betterment of the team before his own benefit.

There's a reason Jean was inducted an unprecedented year early into Hockey's Hall of Fame and that his number was retired into the rafters of the historic Montréal Forum. He was in a league of his own: rivaled by no one, but respected by all. The above was created by me as a remembrance not of his death, but the life and legacy he leaves behind. His unparalleled level of excellence and well-roundedness surely did not go unnoticed, but that attention did grab the hearts and minds of others. Our heart goes out to the Béliveau family and friends, the Molsons and the entire Canadiens organization, their fans, the Province of Québec, and the other ambassadors of the sport as we look back at the times inspired by such a great advocate of life and hockey.

-Richard F. Mazella II