The sport of hockey was "elevated forever" by Jean Beliveau's "character, dignity and class," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday as Canadians mourned the iconic player's death at the age of 83.
"No record book can capture, no image can depict, no statue can convey the grandeur of the remarkable Jean Beliveau, whose elegance and skill on the ice earned the admiration of the hockey world while his humility and humanity away from the rink earned the love of fans everywhere," Bettman said in a statement. "Mr. Beliveau was a formidable presence and his departure leaves an immeasurable void."
The Canadiens reported Beliveau's death just before 11:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. Even at that late hour, with some teams on flights home after games and others out West still in action, there was an outpouring of sadness as the hockey world mourned the loss of "Le Gros Bill," considered one of the sport's true gentlemen.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, an avid hockey fan, offered condolences on behalf of Canadians.
"Mr. Beliveau will be remembered as a hockey giant who inspired a nation with his outstanding skill, humility and pure love of the game," he said in a statement. "His legacy lives on in the records he set, the legions of hockey players that he inspired, and the deep love he shared with his home province of Quebec."
Mr. Beliveau, as so many called him to honour his class and stature, won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP twice and once captured the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. In 1,125 games, he recorded 1,219 points on 507 goals and 712 assists.
The native of Trois-Rivieres, Que., was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Beliveau won the Stanley Cup as a player for the Habs 10 times and, including his time in management, has his name on the trophy 17 times. Montreal retired his No. 4 in 1971.
"A true legend has passed away," Habs forward Brandon Prust tweeted. "Honoured to say I wore the same colours as the man."
Habs owner Geoff Molson said the organization will "bring all the needed support to the members of Jean Beliveau's family, and will work closely with them to organize the ceremonies that will take place in the coming days." The team plays in Minnesota against the Wild on Wednesday night as part of an ongoing road trip.
The Habs' next home game is Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.
"Like millions of hockey fans who followed the life and the career of Jean Beliveau, the Canadiens today mourn the passing of a man whose contribution to the development of our sport and our society was unmeasurable," Molson said in a statement Tuesday night. "Jean Beliveau was a great leader, a gentleman and arguably the greatest ambassador our game has ever known."
Fellow Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux said Beliveau was "class personified."
"He was a hero to generations of his fellow French Canadians and hockey fans everywhere," Lemieux said in a statement. "Our sport has lost a great ambassador. He will be missed."
Beliveau's death came as the Habs were mourning another former player. Gilles Tremblay, who won four Stanley Cups as a linemate with Beliveau in the 1960s, died on Nov. 26 at the age of 75.
"Meeting him is not like meeting other stars from the old days," Tremblay once said. "When people see Bobby Hull, they say: 'Hi Bobby.' When they meet Big Jean, it's always: 'Hi, Mr. Beliveau.' He commands respect."
It's been a sombre time for the hockey world, which also lost former player, coach and executive Pat Quinn last week. There is also concern for "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe, who is in failing health following a stroke in late October.
Flags at Montreal's city hall were lowered to half-mast Wednesday in honour of Beliveau.
Montreal mayor Denis Coderre tweeted "Farewell Mr. Beliveau, you were an inspiration for us all. A true gentleman. A role model, one of our greatest Habs."
Gov. Gen. David Johnston said Canada had "lost a great champion."
"He was graceful and powerful, both on and off the ice," Johnston said. "He set new standards of excellence in how we play hockey and set compelling standards of civility in how we conduct ourselves with one another."
"He's an unbelievable man," Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien told reporters in Los Angeles following his team's 2-0 loss Tuesday night.
"When you talk about class, it has Jean Beliveau written all over it. He spent a lot of time just chatting with me. When you grow up idolizing a guy like him and see him take the time to have some good chats, his wife as well, I thought he and his wife were tremendous people. What a class act he's been. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know him."
Montreal native and major league catcher Russell Martin, who was recently acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays, tweeted in French, "rest in peace Jean Beliveau. An idol!"
"Jean Beliveau was the classiest man," tweeted Canadian women’s hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser. "Returned every piece of fan mail with a handwritten letter."
