NHL Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau Dies at Age 83

Montreal Canadiens legend and NHL Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau has passed away at the age of 83.

The team's official Twitter feed confirmed the news:

Very few players—in any sport—will ever put together a career as successful as Beliveau's. A member of the Canadiens organization for his entire 20-year career, he sits second in team history in assists (712) and points (1,219), third in goals (507) and fourth in games played (1,125).

Beliveau made 13 All-Star Game appearances, won the Art Ross Trophy (league's top scorer), Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) and Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP) on two occasions. He was a part of 10 Stanley Cup-winning squads, serving as the captain for many of those teams.

But while Beliveau's individual and team accomplishments were seemingly never-ending, they were matched by his character off the ice. Beloved and revered not only by those in Montreal but by fans and players across the world, he is known as one of the classiest, most respectful players to ever lace up the skates.

ESPN's Keith Olbermann and TSN's Gord Miller paid their respects to Beliveau, noting his notorious kindness and infectious personality:

Penguins legend Mario Lemieux discussed Beliveau's passing, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun:

Canadiens wing Brandon Prust also commented on the legend's passing:

It's an undeniably sad loss for the hockey world and anyone touched by Beliveau, a true ambassador of the game. But legends are never forgotten, and "Le Gros Bill" spent decades establishing himself as one of the NHL's greatest in that department.