Jean Belivo is a legendary hockey player, whom even rivals respected

Jean Belivo (years of life 1931-2014) was one of those rare athletes whose personal reputation surpassed popularity and sporting achievements. Thanks to its stunning technique of playing and professionalism, it has become a true legend and an example for imitation of millions of people.

Jean retired at the end of the 1970-1971 season, winning almost every individual and collective prize. More than four decades later, his strong character and generous morale continued to inspire many novice players.

Together with Maurice Richard (Rocket), he is one of the two most iconic hockey players who have ever worn the Montreal Canadiens uniform.

Jean Belivo: biography

Jean Arthur Belivo was born in the early 1930s in the Trois-Riviera (Canada). He was the eldest of eight brothers and sisters. In hockey began playing with 6 years in the courtyard of his house in the city of Victoriaville. He was not in an organized team of up to 12 years. His athletic ability attracted the attention of the Montreal Canadiens in 1947 (when he turned 15). Even then, the famous club tried to sign a contract with him, but the deal was postponed until the coming of age.

At the age of 16, Jean was offered a place in a baseball team that participated in the junior league. It is important to note that Jean Belivo was a fairly tall guy for his age - his height was 190 cm. However, he was quite dexterous, brave and strong. Thanks to such qualities, he began to play great in baseball.

Soon I got into the youth hockey team "Citadels of Quebec" and immediately became a sensation. He attracted so much attention: when the arena of the "Coliseum of Quebec" was built, it became known as "the house that Belivo built." In total, the athlete played four years in the junior league with the Citadels of Quebec.

And finally there comes a significant day in 1953, when Jean Belivo becomes a member of the Montreal Canadiens team.

Career in the NHL

Before the start of the 1953-1954 season. Jean signs a contract with "Montreal Canadiens" for $ 105 thousand dollars. At that time it was considered a huge sum.

Over the next 18 seasons, including 10 as captain, he scored 507 goals, gaining 1219 points. He was considered the best player of the team, even was the leading playoff scorer of the National Hockey League when he retired.

Jean Belivo is a hockey legend. He won the Stanley Cup 17 times : 10 of them as a team player and 7 as vice president (1971-1993). Among his numerous awards and titles are: the NHL champion, the Hart Trophy award as the most valuable league player, Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs, entered the list of the top 10 NHL players.

Grace and Humility

Belivo was such an experienced and remarkable hockey player that even his opponents admired him. Superstar of the "Chicago Black Hawks" Bobby Hull said that to describe the game of Jean could be this way: "Go where the instinct tells you." He added that every hockey player respected him for his strong temper and self-confidence.

He became an idol for his countrymen and a public figure, whose contribution to hockey was difficult to overestimate. Jean Belivo is a sports hero, who was regarded throughout the world as the ambassador of Canadian hockey.

Retirement

After retiring, his name was added to the honor board in the Hall of Hockey Glory under number 4. Soon he joined the front office of Montreal Canadiens as vice president. He held this post until 1993, after which he retired.

While working in this position, Jean mainly consulted young hockey players. In 1971, he founded a charity fund to help Canadian disabled children. It is noteworthy that most of the money came to the account from his salary.

Despite his fame, he always easily communicated with fans and never refused them, with pleasure left an autograph. Former NHL player Bob Gainey noted that Belleva masterfully combines "royal dignity" and "accessibility". Not all famous people can do it!

Awards

After retirement, the collection of Jean Belivo's awards and awards continued to grow. In 1994, Prime Minister Jean Crestien offered him the post of Governor-General, but Jean refused for family reasons.

Among his many achievements is:

• Commander of the Order of Canada (1998);
• In 2001 his name appeared on the Walk of Fame and on postage stamps;
• In 2009, the National Hockey League presented him with the award "Lifetime Echiviment Evord";
• The title of the Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2010).

Death and heritage

Jean Belivo died on December 2, 2014 in Montreal. His body was brought to the arena "Bell Center", so that everyone could say goodbye to the legendary athlete. His wife, Eliz Belivo (nee Couture), personally thanked all visitors.

Jean's funeral was broadcast on the national Canadian channel. Even Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his two predecessors, Jean Crestien and Brian Mulroney, attended them. The last way was spent by Belivo and many hockey celebrities, including his teammates: Guy Leffler, Phil Goiette, Serge Savard, Bobby Russo and Jean-Guy Talbot. Despite the deep-seated rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the former goalkeeper of opponents Johnny Bauer also expressed his condolences to the family of the great hockey player.

Jean Belivo (photo of the sportsman presented in the article), playing for his famous team, always wore a sweater number four. At the end of the 2014-2015 season, during the Montreal Canadiens match against the Vancouver Canucks, the team put Jean's sweater on the spot where he always sat and a searchlight was sent to him. So, every hockey player felt that their mentor and the main fan is next to them.