A friend of mine told me the following story.

He grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, so he was a Maple Leafs fan as a kid. When he was about 8 or 9, he went to see a Montreal vs Maple Leafs game in Toronto with his dad. He stood in the hallway leading to the dressing rooms after the game, wearing his Maple Leafs jersey, hoping to get an autograph or two. Every single Maple Leafs player walked by him, and did not even look at him.

Then the Canadiens players walked by him. Béliveau stopped, looked at him and asked how many autographs he got.

"None"

Béliveau walked to the Canadiens dressing room, pushed the door open and said in a loud voice "Boys! A kid wants autographs. Everyone! Now!"

When he told me that story, my friend said "I have been a Habs fan since that day. No one is going to make me change my mind, regardless of how much people tease me (he has lived near Toronto most of his life).

My aunt once wrote Beliveau asking him for a personalized autograph for a retiring teacher who was a huge fan.- he showed up in person to the retirement dinner and gave a little speech about how important teachers are. The man was a mensch, a "real gent" as Grandpa would say. I saw him play at the Forum when I was 10, the most beautiful skater I have ever seen. I'm sure today's players are faster, but his stride was so elegant!

Jean Béliveau, epitomized finesse...such a talent. There is no one like him since.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Béliveau 💔

It's March 16th, 2026 and I'm 73 years old. Jean Beliveau was, and is, my idol! I am fortunate enough to have met him a number of times. I remember the day after he passed and all of the commentary was about him as an individual, not his stats. I got to see a playoff final game against Chicago in  1971, his last year as Captain. When he was a VP in 1990, I wrote him a letter, asking if I could meet him, as I was going to spend the following week in Montreal watching 5 games in 9 nights at the Forum. He wrote back, telling me he was leaving on Sunday for a vacation in Barbados and could meet me at 10 am on Saturday at the Forum. I immediately changed my arrival time from Saturday morning to Friday night. He had told me which entrance to go to and I spent over an hour with him, standing under a Molson Laurentide Beer sign. I still have the photo of he and I (me, wearing a lace up Habs sweater with his number on it). I was able to get him to sign that blown up picture at a later date! At one point, I told him I had booked a tour of the Forum and asked if I would see the dressing room. He responded that it was off limits to the public. I said I always wanted to see the banner that showed "To you from Failing Hands, we throw the Torch. Be Yours to Hold It High!" He looked at me and took me into the dressing room and showed me where he and Maurice once sat. How many people would do that? PURE CLASS!

Quel grand monsieur, d'une générosité sans limite.

Thanks for this tribute. Met Jean several times, the1st my fiend and I cut school went to a car show connected to Bonaventure Hotel we had walked around and went to the hotel lobby to kill more time, all of a sudden my friend said “Theres Jean Béliveau” sure enough Jean.  My fiend calls him over, Jean stopped looked at us and started walking towards us(to me it’s like a King approaching his subjects, I’m in awe)Ben(friend)starts talking as Jean extended his hand to him and then myself. He sits down (I’m 15 at the time, Jean still wearing the C) talks with Ben, I can’t speak and he knows it, yet he eases me into conversation. He spent 5-7minutes  and stands up asking about why we weren’t in school, sticks out his hand to gesture goodbye. My special time with Jean was a mere few minutes of idle banter. What I recall to this day decades later was Jean Béliveau as he walked away out of the lobby never got smaller he got bigger. Jean Béliveau was an ambassador no doubt, as he did with us he did with thousands more taking his personal time to talk with fans. No one since has come close to Jean, not in Montreal, Toronto, the NHL or most of the major sports group. We in Montreal were fortunate to have him here.

Totally enjoyed the video been a Habs fan for 62 yrs. Watched that 1971 series against Boston Beliveau and John Ferguson each scored 2 goals to lead the Habs in a stunning comeback in game 2 after losing game one. Man was certainly special

Jean Béliveau came to my class for a pep talk, not a single sound was heard during his talkI had the opportunity to shake his hand after his speech and I was 15 and my hand literally disappeared in his. That was in the late 80s and can still feel his hand shake. He has such an aura and class about him.

I feel lucky to have grown up in the era of "Le Gros Bill". Lucky to have been at the Stanly cup parade with him as captain. What class, beyond measure.

I saw him score from center ice on a slap shot , never forgot that and I am 78 year old , it was the most amazing goal I have ever seen!

I will always remember the day that we were having a corporate event and a lot of players were to attend.  We were in a room in the Molson Centre back then, and players (active & retired) started to arrive but people kept chatting with their groups and all of sudden, M. Béliveau entered and the room went quiet.  You felt the respect in the room.  His  commanding presence was incredible.  I still getting goosebumps to this day when I tell the story

When I had the opportunity to meet him, 'thanking' him for the opportunity seemed the only words to say.

He lived in my neighborhood, and I met him in passing, on walks or at the Mall, a classy, gentle, and kind man; he was always polite with people meeting him for the first time.

Though as Bruins fan in the 1970s I wanted us always to beat the Habs, I had huge respect for so many of their great players, Beliveau high among them. OK, so he didn't have the speed of Cournoyer or Richard, but his ability to skate powerfully, smoothly, and calmly through any minefield of checks and near-holding or other obstacles, then unleash a monster shot was just gorgeous to see. One of the real greats of all time, in addition to being a standout human being. Those years were really memorable.

Jean Béliveau was my favorite player all through my youth years and ii had the priviledge of seeing him win 17 Stanley Cups, 10 as a player & 7 as an administrator. ii truely admired this man & hockey player.

Had the honour of meeting the man. He was a class act

Jean Beliveau was, and still remains, my hero. I am 74 years old and there is no one who I admire more. The only other person who comes close is Terry Fox. Beliveau was the epitome of class, a humble man who answered every fan letter personally in writing. Quiet spoken, patient and  always the gentleman. I truly believe that he was the greatest hockey player who ever laced them up. Yes there were those who scored more goals but no one had his presence or commanded more respect.

It was Feb. 1979. My wife, my sister, my brother-in-law and I were at the Forum, Canadiens versus the Capitals, our first time there. And suddenly, we saw him,  Jean Beliveau--elegantly dressed, so charismatic--striding along the concourse, the ultimate team official/goodwill ambassador. My sister offered her programme for his autograph, to which he said, "Of course, madame."  Starstruck, she said, "You're so handsome." Returning the programme with, his neat signature, he smiled and said,  "You are so kind,"  He wished us well and continued on his way.  A great night at the Forum.

I've been a hockey fan all of my life, but I didn't get to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame until I was 74.  I loved all the photos, statues, and exhibits, but the best thing I did was to touch the old #4 sweater of Beliveau which hung the in replica of the Montreal dressing room.

Jouer pas de casque, cest fou en criss! Une toute autre époque.
Playing with no helmet, is crazy af! A totally different era.