from the Montreal Canadiens website,

In honor of Jean Béliveau's 81^st birthday, we present a tribute in numbers of some highlights from the legend's career and life.

15 – Age at which Béliveau’s talent caught Canadiens general manager Frank Selke’s eye, causing him to persuade the young forward to sign a contract with the team. Selke would eventually convince him to sign a B-form contract, meaning that should Béliveau turn pro, it would be as a member of the Canadiens.

117 – Number of games that Jean Béliveau played as a member of the Quebec Aces, before the Canadiens organization decided to buy the entire Quebec Senior Hockey League, turn it into a minor pro league, and thereby force the young forward to join the Habs in 1953.

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added 8:51am, from Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette,

"I have no complaints," Canadiens icon Jean Béliveau says. "I'm a very fortunate guy, blessed with my health. Because I should be gone."

The last sentence, and the matter-of-fact way it has been spoken, almost takes my breath away.

But then I remember sitting in the Montreal General Hospital room of this grand gentleman some five months ago, three weeks after he had suffered a stroke. And I recall, alone for an hour that day with Béliveau and his wife, Élise, pushing away unthinkable thoughts.

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