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Jean Beliveau Stroke: Montreal Canadiens Legend Hospitalized

Jean Beliveau Stroke

The Huffington Post Canada   First Posted: 02/28/2012 12:05 pm Updated: 02/28/2012 10:00 pm

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Jean Beliveau, the Montreal Canadiens legend, has been hospitalized due to a stroke.

"The Montreal Canadiens announced today that Jean Beliveau suffered a stroke on Monday evening and was admitted to the hospital," the team posted on its website

"Now 80 years old, Mr. Beliveau is currently undergoing active investigation and treatments. As of today and for the duration of his convalescence Mr. Beliveau humbly asks everyone to respect his privacy and that of his family," the site adds.

Beliveau is one of the greatest players ever to play for the Canadiens. He won the Stanley Cup a stunning 10 times as a player between 1950 and 1971. He is the longest-serving captain and the second-leading scorer in that team's history.

Nicknamed "Le Gros Bill" (trans. the Munchkin) for his size and also "Gentleman Jean," for his classy behaviour on and off the ice, Beliveau made the all-star team 10 times and would play a role as an executive with the Canadiens after his playing career.

Beloved by Montreal fans, Beliveau remained humble despite his success. "I only hope that I have made a contribution to a great game. Hockey has been my life since the day my father gave me a pair of skates when I was five years old," he said when he retired from hockey.

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rich3324
Likes: Chasing villagers. Dislikes: Fire
1176 Fans
 
09:40 PM on 02/29/2012
Great player and person. Saw him play when he came to play the Red Wings.
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bobby boy bobby
0 Fans
10:50 AM on 02/29/2012
Le Gros Bill, A speedy recovery. Get Well soon
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HockeyGirl74
3698 Fans
10:31 AM on 02/29/2012
While I wasn't around when he was playing, and I am a Bruins fan...I also know that he was a class act and I have much respect for him. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to you, from all Bruins fans.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Montcalms Revenge
Plaines d' Abraham
452 Fans
09:54 AM on 02/29/2012
"Gentleman Jean": Get well soon!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Angus12
43 Fans
06:57 AM on 02/29/2012
I wish you a speedy recovery Jean. One of Hockeys greats. He was from a time when the game was played for the love of the game and not a pay cheque.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
George Bertha
Yes, I am crazy, what's your excuse?!
28 Fans
05:13 AM on 02/29/2012
May God be with you, Mssr. Beliveau!
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Andre ST-Jacques
1 Fans
03:56 AM on 02/29/2012
Mr. Beliveau is and always will be in my mind a great player just like Malkin!

http://viraleh.com/?videos=malkin-sick-end-to-end-goal
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kosmotis69
69 Fans
11:09 PM on 02/28/2012
Must have dared to watch a recent Les Habitant game........pitiful
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apphom
9 Fans
09:51 PM on 02/28/2012
I pray for a rapid and complete recovery, Mr. Jean Beliveau.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MMDaly
37 Fans
08:28 PM on 02/28/2012
"God we just ask for your kind mercy and healing for him, amen"
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cireneed
looking for some light...even a little
315 Fans
08:00 PM on 02/28/2012
A legend from my youth. Beliveau's fluid moves were awe-inspiring to us PeeWee leaguers.

Best wishes and quick recovery Jean!!
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kpacvt
120 Fans
07:00 PM on 02/28/2012
I had the pleasure of watching this great man play. He was the magnificent. I was a Bruins fan and he had me pulling my hair out on more than a few occasions. Best wishes to him
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homesteadokie
2 Fans
06:35 PM on 02/28/2012
Prayers and best wishes for a truly classy athlete and his family, someone athletes today should emulate.
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songwriter704
36 Fans
06:17 PM on 02/28/2012
my roommate is a lifelong Floridian, i've lived in Orlando 13 years now, but he loves hockey and he can't believe there were only 6 teams back in the day when i was young. Growing up in New Hampshire with French Canadien parents I loved those days of the Bruins and Canadiens rivalries. I was always so scared to see those goalies without face masks like Montreal's Gump Worsley get a slapshot in the face. I saw one of our city league goalies with no mask get a slapshot right in his face when i was 10 years old and his face literally exploded, shooting blood all over the place as he fell face first down to the ice. This was in 1966. So about 5 years ago i go to visit my hometown and went to a restaurant and that goalie was there, who i had never met, but i went up to his table and said, "i remember when you got hit in the face with a puck", and my God he was in heaven and he began telling his wife and friends, "see, see, i told you that happened" !!!! i'm sure that's a story he told a thousand times and i validated it for him in front of people. he was so happy.
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karlosofBoston
1 Fans
08:59 PM on 02/28/2012
In the early 60's, I was an unmasked goalie. I caught a few in the face, but thankfully it never exploded. I live in North Conway, NH, but grew up in Boston. You must be older than me, because when I was a kid in the 50's, there was 8 teams, Boston, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh. Correct me if I'm wrong. Even as a Bruins fan, we always respected and admired Belliveau. Get well Jean.
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tfb9116042
1 Fans
09:41 PM on 02/28/2012
Actually the Flyers & Penguins didnt join the league till 1967
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kenport
151 Fans
06:00 PM on 02/28/2012
A class act ... godspeed Jean
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