The hockey and sporting world is mourning the passing of Jean Béliveau (right: sitting in the locker room showing the puck that signified his 500th goal / Montreal Gazette), the legendary Montreal Canadiens centre who in his later life was revered as an ambassador of the game.

Béliveau — a key member of several Montreal hockey dynasties — died on December 2, 2014, at the age of 83.

As a player, the lanky Quebecer won the Stanley Cup ten times, and notched another seven cups as a hockey executive. Read the full biography of the man Canadiens fans affectionately called “Le Gros Bill.”

For a glimpse of what made Béliveau so great, watch this short video (segment on Béliveau begins at 4:20).

Here's Hockey! by Leslie McFarlane, National Film Board of Canada

You can also read about the wild early days of the NHL beginning with Montreal Maroons: Hockey's High Rollers.