Top 5: Ranking The Best Canadiens Captains Of All Time
Seasons With Canadiens: 20 (1950-51, 1952-53 to 1970-71)
Seasons As Captain: 10 (1961-62 to 1970-71)
Inducted in Hockey Hall Of Fame: 1972
The most famed and most tenured captain in the history of the Montreal Canadiens and one of the greatest captains in NHL history. Jean Beliveau was destined for greatness since day one.
The Canadiens wanted Beliveau badly. The Canadiens had their eyes on Beliveau since his junior days playing for the Quebec Citadelles. Lore has it the Canadiens tried to sign Beliveau multiple times but the Trois-Rivieres native wasn’t fond of the idea of leaving the city he now called home.
In an absolute coup that would never happen today, after seeing Beliveau sign with the Quebec Aces, the Canadiens bought the entire Quebec Senior League in order to obtain the rights to Beliveau. The youngster finally obliged and finally began his 20 year playing career with the bleu-blanc-rouge.
“Le Gros Bill” was the epidome of being a gentleman and a good person. He would would welcome rookies, give sound advice to veterans and with only a few words would break the cold streak of any player. Off the ice, he was adored by fans in which he always gave the time of day. He would participate in numerous charity events and signed countless autographs to anyone who would ask.
Jean Beliveau personified what it was to be a captain. An absolute menace on the ice who played with unparalled passion and a beyond friendly personality off the ice that would elevate his status to legend.
For ten years Beliveau captained the Montreal Canadiens in what he described as “the greatest honor he ever received”, the longest tenured captain in team history. Even after his retirement in 1971 until his death in 2014, Beliveau represented the Canadiens and the game of hockey in the same manner when he was a player.
A true gentleman and one of the greatest of all time.
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