Montreal Canadiens: This Day In Habs History: Jean Beliveau First to 1000 Games
Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau was the first player in franchise history to reach 1000 games played.
The Montreal Canadiens long history of greatness was built by many extraordinary hockey players, but each of them looked up to one man, and that was Jean Beliveau.
Beliveau epitomized class during his tenure with the Canadiens which literally ran the span of his adult life. It would have started even sooner if he wasn’t so dedicated to his hometown senior team and reluctant to leave them.
The Habs had to buy the league and make it a professional circuit so Beliveau’s rights would be transferred to the Canadiens.
More from Editorials
- Montreal Canadiens: Senators Rebuild At Crisis Point As Kent Hughes Moves Forward
- Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin Continues Charity Work In Montreal After Leaving Habs
- Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Lineup Going To Be Must Watch
- Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylönen Contract Extension Analysis
- Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #31 Quentin Miller
After that, it was clear where Beliveau’s loyalties lay. He was the unquestioned leader and voice of reason in a room full of star players who were destined for Hall of Fame careers. Beliveau was well on his way to a Hall of Fame resume as well, and stepped one more rung up that ladder on this day in 1969, when he played his 1000th game with the Canadiens.
Beliveau became a regular with the Canadiens in 1953-54 and scored 13 goals and 34 points in 44 games. He would prove how great he was with ten points in ten playoff games that season and a breakout campaign the following year that saw him score 37 goals and 73 points in 70 games.
That was just the beginning of Believeau’s lengthy career with the Canadiens. He played until 1970-71 and as proof of his durability and consistency, he actually scored three more points in his final season than he did in his first full season.
At the age of 39, Beliveau led the Habs to the 1971 Stanley Cup but scoring 22 points in 20 games. He still, and probably forever will, hold the record for most playoff points by a Montreal Canadiens player. His 176 points are 37 more than Jacques Lemaire who has the second most points in Canadiens playoff history with 139.
Beliveau wore the “C” in Montreal for ten seasons, tied for the most ever with Saku Koivu. He played parts of 20 seasons in Montreal which is also tied for the most ever (with Henri Richard.)
Beliveau was a part of ten Stanley Cup winning teams as a player and seven more after his retirement as an executive with the club.
He won the Hart Trophy as League MVP in 1956 and 1964 and led the league in scoring in 1956. He was the first winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP in 1965.
His longevity, dominance on the ice, creativity, and physical force made him an easy choice for the Hall of Fame. So easy was the choice, that Beliveau didn’t even need to wait the customary three years before being enshrined. He retired in 1971 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Next. Habs first game in Quebec against the Nordiques in 1979. dark
One step along that terrific journey was playing his 1000th game in a Habs sweater, against the Minnesota North Stars, 51 years ago today.