Finally: Big Jean a member of Team Canada

posted by Dave Stubbs at 19h58 EST on Jun 29


0jb.jpg

Jean Béliveau beams with his new Team Canada jersey at today's Bell Centre news conference.
Dario Ayala, Gazette

From a release: Hockey Canada announced today that Canadiens icon Jean Béliveau – a 10-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame – has been named an honourary Team Canada member and honourary captain of Canada’s 2010 Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.

Béliveau spent his entire 20-season NHL career as a member of the Canadiens, recording 1,219 points in 1,125 games. He retired from the NHL following the 1970-71 season and never had the chance to represent Canada in international competition. The first major international event involving NHL superstars was in 1972, when Canada and Russia met in the Summit Series. The IIHF World Championship did not allow professionals to participate until 1977.

“It’s unbelievable to think of some of the players who never had the chance to represent Canada in international play,” says Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. “Today, we bring a new member onto the Team Canada roster. It’s about time we see the great Jean Béliveau in a Team Canada sweater.”

Béliveau was honoured at a news conference in Montreal, as part of the Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf fundraiser. Serge Savard and Yvan Cournoyer, honourary chairmen of the 2009 Hockey Canada Foundation gala, presented Béliveau with a Team Canada jersey, with Béliveau’s name and customary No. 4 on the back.




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Submitted by Habs_Guru (not verified) on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:13.

very cool! this guy deserves every accolade he gets.


Submitted by Yeats on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:20.

I'm with you. No matter what accolades he receives, they pale in comparison to the man himself!


yathehabsrule's picture
Submitted by yathehabsrule on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 21:01.

Very true, Yeats.

___________________________________________

Ya! The Habs Rule!


Bill J's picture
Submitted by Bill J on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:11.

I'm just glad Dave Stubbs didn't name the title of this thread

Newest member of the Canadian team is #4.

Now THAT would have been a good title to get people talking, lol


Dave Stubbs's picture
Submitted by Dave Stubbs on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:23.

Aw c'mon, Bill... have I ever written a provocative headline here??

Dave Stubbs
Habs Inside/Out
Sports Columnist/Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette

 


Bill J's picture
Submitted by Bill J on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:39.

Of course you have Dave, maybe not Eklund'ish - but you have indeed ;-) lol.  Admit it - had you used my headline this thread would have blown up... Litteraly... lol


yathehabsrule's picture
Submitted by yathehabsrule on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 21:00.

Bill: If that headline EVER came up, you know I'd have to boycott the Canadiens if #4 was offered to another player, until said player's contract had expired and he had moved on!!!!

and Mr. Stubbs would never try to spook me with such a headline.....right?...right!!!!!????

___________________________________________

Ya! The Habs Rule!


JIMVINNY's picture
Submitted by JIMVINNY on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:06.

How Awesome is that?  Way to go, #4.  You are hockey personified.