Jean Béliveau, NHL legend, remembered as true gentleman

Canadians are mourning the passing of a legend, as former Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Béliveau died at age 83 on Tuesday. 

Béliveau was loved by hockey fans for his 10 Stanley Cups as a player with the Canadiens, but also by those outside the arena for his service to Canada.

"He was the perfect gentleman," said former prime minister Jean Chrétien, who offered Béliveau the office of Governor General in 1994. 

Béliveau rejected it for family reasons, but Chretien always held the Habs great in high regard.

"Aline and I had him [over] for dinner when we discussed the possibility and we were like fans waiting for a star to come to the residence."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a hockey historian himself, issued a statement and offered his condolences. 

“Mr. Béliveau will be remembered as a hockey giant who inspired a nation with his outstanding skill, humility and pure love of the game," Harper said.

"His legacy lives on in the records he set, the legions of hockey players that he inspired, and the deep love he shared with his home province of Quebec.”

The Canadiens will have tributes to Béliveau over the next week and team owner Geoff Molson said the iconic figure will always be remembered.

"We're going to give all of our fans an opportunity to celebrate such a great man," Molson said.

Many people took to social media to react to Béliveau's passing.

• Hockey fans pay respects to Béliveau
• Dick Irvin picks Béliveau as greatest Canadien
• Béliveau put Canadiens ahead of personal glory
• Gretzky, Beliveau among Order of Hockey recipients
• Canadian astronaut Thirsk has space chat with Béliveau
• ARCHIVES: Jean Béliveau, hockey's gentle giant

One of the finest centres who ever played, Béliveau helped lead the Canadiens to an unprecedented five straight Stanley Cups during the 1950s and 1960s over his 20-year career.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre summed up the feeling surrounding the passing of the Canadiens legend when he announced that the hockey world and the entire country would be mourning this great loss.

Flags will be lowered to honour Béliveau. 

• Can't view on mobile? See Denis Coderre's tweet here. 

Record books can't do Béliveau justice, said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. 

"No record book can capture, no image can depict, no statue can convey the grandeur of the remarkable Jean Béliveau, whose elegance and skill on the ice earned the admiration of the hockey world while his humility and humanity away from the rink earned the love of fans everywhere," Bettman said in a statement. 

The NHL put together a video tribute in the wake of the news. 

• Can't view on mobile? See tweet here.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper called him a 'true legend.'

• Can't view on mobile? See tweet here.

Former and current Montreal Canadiens players were quick to respond with condolences, and mentioned what a role model No. 4 always was within the organization. 

• Can't view on mobile? See the NHL's tweet here.

• Can't view on mobile? See P.K. Subban's tweet here. 

• Can't view on mobile? See Brandon Prust's tweet here.

• Can't view on mobile? See Josh Gorges's tweet here. 

Players around the league were praising the legend too.

• Can't view on mobile? See Matt Duchene's tweet here.

Canadian athletes outside of the NHL also had fond memories of the 10-time Stanley Cup winner. 

• Can't view on mobile? See Wickenheiser's tweet here. 

The NDP leader, who represents Outremount, was the first of the federal leaders to pay tribute

• Can't view on mobile? See Thomas Mulcair's tweet here