Jean Béliveau, Canadiens legend, remembered by John Hancock
Le Gros Bill dead at 83
John Hancock, a CBC national sports broadcaster based in Halifax, says he'll always remember the day hockey legend Jean Béliveau welcomed him on his first day covering the Montreal Canadiens.
Béliveau passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday night. Le Gros Bill, as he was known, is remembered for his skill and sportsmanship.
He won 10 Stanley Cups.
"I remember my first game covering the Montreal Canadiens, it was in March of 1980. I'll never forget it, I had just moved from Toronto and I was starting my career at CBC Montreal and I was covering the Canadiens in the playoffs," Hancock said. "I remember going up into the catwalk of the forum to my seat, CBC Radio seat, for the first game, nervous with all these icons around me."
Hancock says he had squeezed into his spot and was getting his papers ready for the game when Béliveau walked behind him.
"He put his hands on my shoulders and whispered, 'Welcome' and kept going. I thought I was going to start crying. It was unbelievable moment. He was a good friend ever since," said Hancock.
"He commanded respect. His teammate Gilles Tremblay once said when people saw Bobby Hull they said, "Hi Bobby," but with Beliveau it was always, "Hi Mr. Beliveau' because he commanded that respect."
"We'll miss him."