The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Ice Hockey›Jean Béliveau
Sports • Ice Hockey

Jean Béliveau

Jean Béliveau was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre best known for his long career with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jean Béliveau was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre best known for his long career with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won 10 Stanley Cup championships as a player and was later honoured for his leadership and contributions to hockey off the ice.

Early life

Jean Béliveau was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, in 1931 and developed into an elite junior and senior hockey player before joining the NHL.

NHL career

Béliveau joined the Montreal Canadiens in 1953 and became one of the league’s top centres, finishing his career with 507 goals and 1,219 points in regular-season play. He added 79 goals and 176 points in 162 playoff games.

Championships and awards

He won 10 Stanley Cups as a player, captured multiple major NHL awards, and was the first winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965. He also won the Hart Trophy twice and the Art Ross Trophy once.

Post-playing career

After retiring in 1971, Béliveau worked in senior executive roles with the Canadiens and remained a prominent hockey ambassador.

Legacy

Béliveau is widely remembered as one of hockey’s great centres and as a respected figure whose career and conduct earned broad admiration in Canada and beyond.

Key facts

  • Béliveau played his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1953 to 1971.
  • He scored 507 goals and 1,219 points in 1,125 regular-season NHL games.
  • He won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and his name appeared on the trophy seven additional times as an executive.
  • He won the Hart Trophy twice, the Art Ross Trophy once, and the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965.
  • He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
🍁
Canadian context

Béliveau is a major figure in Canadian hockey history, especially in Quebec and Montreal, and he received honours including the Order of Canada and recognition from Hockey Canada.[6][14]

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jean Béliveau?
He was a Canadian NHL centre who spent his entire playing career with the Montreal Canadiens and became one of hockey’s most celebrated players.
How many Stanley Cups did Jean Béliveau win?
He won 10 Stanley Cups as a player, and his name appeared on seven more as a Canadiens executive.
What were Jean Béliveau’s career NHL stats?
He finished with 507 goals and 1,219 points in 1,125 regular-season games, plus 176 playoff points in 162 games.
When was Jean Béliveau inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He was inducted in 1972.
What position did Jean Béliveau play?
He played centre for the Montreal Canadiens.
When did Jean Béliveau die?
He died on December 2, 2014, in Montreal.

References

  1. NHL — https://www.nhl.com/player/jean-beliveau-8445408
    Supports: Career span, Stanley Cups as player and executive, and overall significance.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jean-beliveau
    Supports: Career statistics and Canadian historical context.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Beliveau
    Supports: Birth, death, nationality, position, team, and championship record.
  4. Hockey Canada — https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/jean-beliveau-passes-at-age-83
    Supports: Death, honorary captain role, and Canadian recognition.
  5. NHL — https://www.nhl.com/news/jean-beliveau-100-greatest-nhl-players-284179630
    Supports: Awards, Hall of Fame induction, and Cup totals.
  6. Concordia University — https://www.concordia.ca/content/shared/en/profiles/offices/advancement/notable-concordians/jean-beliveau.html
    Supports: Post-playing executive career and honours.