Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau has died at the age of 83, the Canadiens announced Tuesday.
'Le Gros Bill' is survived by his wife Elise and his daughter Helene.
Famous for answering every piece of fan mail he ever received, Beliveau suffered from multiple health issues over the past 20 years. He was hospitalized for cardiac problems in 1996, and was treated for a neck tumor in 2000. He was hospitalized twice in recent years following strokes, and was hospitalized with pneumonia this past summer.
Beliveau played 20 seasons with the Canadiens, scoring 507 goals and 1,219 points in 1,125 NHL games. He was a 14-time All-Star and a two-time Hart Trophy winner.
He won the Art Ross in 1956 and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965 (the first time it was awarded).
A dominant 6-foot-3, 205-pound center who wouldn't have looked out of place in the modern game, Beliveau and Saku Koivu share the record as Montreal's longest-serving captains. Beliveau's name appears on the Stanley Cup 10 times as a player and seven times as an executive.
His 17 appearances on the Stanley Cup are an NHL record.
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
