I have a pretty cool Beliveau story I tell every chance I get. My grandpa was a tweener in the Habs organization in the 1950s. He played 20 or so games with the Habs in the midst of their dominant dynasty (plus another 10 with the Red Wings at the end of the decade). We have a framed photo of him scoring on Jacques Plante in an exhibition game of sorts.

I can’t quite recall when this story takes place but M. Beliveau was already a legendary executive at this point and my grandpa was long since retired from pro hockey. He was playing in for a travelling alumni team here in Edmonton with a bunch former pro players (literally called the “Old-Timers) and prior to their visit to Montreal, he reached out to M. Beliveau about meeting up and perhaps getting a few team photos signed for the family collection.

So my grandpa checks in at the old Forum, and a receptionist tells him that M. Beliveau is down the hall in an important meeting, but that he can wait there if he likes. My grandpa thanks the woman and before he takes off, she says “M. Beliveau is extremely busy, but he is such a nice man.”

My grandpa finds the room he is directed to and gets ready to wait outside. Shortly, a man in a suit walks by and asks if he can help. My grandpa says he and M. Beliveau have arranged to meet. The man regrets to share that M. Beliveau has had to leave for the day. My grandpa understands and prepares to leave, before the man speaks again. “That M. Beliveau though, he’s such a nice man.”

As he leaves, my grandpa tells the receptionist he was not able to meet with M. Beliveau. He tells her the story of how they had planned to meet up and perhaps sign some old photos of their playing days. She says she is sorry to hear, but that she can hold the photos, and perhaps, when M. Beliveau is less busy during the season, he can sign the photos and post them to my grandpa. She insists that M. Beliveau is a very nice man and won’t mind. He agrees to the plan and leaves his address. He didn’t get to meet his old teammate but at least he has a shot at getting the autographed photos for his family, even if it takes some time.

My grandpa returned to Edmonton a week or so later, and found a package containing autographed photographs and well wishes from Jean Beliveau.