This Day in Hockey History – October 3, 1953 – Canadiens Go for Beliveau

Did anyone ever play as hard to get but turn out to be worth even more than “the highest contract ever” as Jean Beliveau? After five years of being “obligated to do business with Canadiens if he turned professional” and three years of turning down their proffered contracts, on October 3, 1953, Beliveau finally signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He was just in time to join the defending Stanley Cup champions in playing against the NHL All-Stars that night.

Six years after beginning to play in organized hockey, 18-year-old Beliveau joined the junior team Quebec Citadels. In 1951, he then graduated to the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Senior Hockey League (QSHL). These teams were affiliated with the NHL’s Canadiens, so between December 1950 and December 1952, the young scoring sensation was brought up to play five pro games. He notched six goals (thanks to a hat trick) and an assist. His role model, Maurice “Rocket” Richard praised, “He’s got the greatest shot I’ve ever seen in hockey and he’s a fine man. He could help this team plenty and I wish he would change his mind.”

Beliveau had been putting off officially signing with the NHL. He had it good with the Quebec teams with his $20,000 salary well above the NHL average. That made him feel like he wanted to give back by lending his talents for a few seasons. In a lesson from his father, he explained, “Loyalty is another form of responsibility. If you feel that you owe something to someone, no matter what the debt, it behooves you to pay it. … Your good name is your greatest asset.”

In March 1953, the QSHL dropped the “senior” from its name to turn into the fourth-ranking professional league (after the NHL, AHL, and WHL). Many have attributed this change to the Canadiens buying the entire league to force Beliveau to sign, but in a more typical fashion, the move came out of a dispute. Regardless, it did mean that Beliveau could only play up to 29 games with the Aces before being subjected to the NHL draft.

By May, the forward was looking ahead to his 22nd birthday in August and feeling like it would be a good time to join the Canadiens. He told the press, “If I reach an agreement with the management I will play with Canadiens next season. I have not been approached yet, but if they offer me good conditions I will certainly sign a Canadiens contract.” When Beliveau got married the following month, the Canadiens reportedly gifted him with $2,500 to $3,000.

In September, Beliveau attended the Canadiens’ training camp and was paired with Richard for two exhibition games. He still hesitated over issues with how much his salary would be taxed, so unexpectedly, the long negotiation held Friday, October 2 did not result in a contract. In the five years of working to snare Beliveau, Canadiens GM Frank Selke noted, “Neither of us has ever made a crack about the other and Beliveau has always been courteous and considerate.” However, he also happened to mention that Beliveau would not be eligible to play in the All-Star game the next day without a contract. As it was, he missed the banquet held for the Canadiens that night.

It took another three-hour meeting before Beliveau finally signed a five-year contract shortly after 1 pm that Saturday. Selke called it “the highest contract ever given any player – highest by a city block,” and it turned out to be worth $105,000. According to Selke, “It was simple, really. All I did was open the [Montreal] Forum vault and say, ‘Jean, take what you think is right.’” At the time, he said the success of signing Beliveau was “the biggest moment of my long career in hockey.”

That night, the new Canadiens center donned No. 4 because his Aces’ No. 9 was already worn by teammate Richard. Before a record attendance (14,422) worth a record in gross receipts (about $30,387), the defending champs lost to the All-Star team 3-1. Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored two power-play goals in the first period. However, Beliveau played well, sending “nifty passes” to Richard. In fact, their only goal of the night was scored on a power play at 4:30 in the third period, when Richard took advantage of a “rebound of a smoking shot” by Beliveau (who was given an assist).

Beliveau looked forward to the coming season with the NHL. “But I will be satisfied if I score 30 goals this season,” he said. Coach Dick Irvin agreed, “Why, if he scores between 25 and 30, I’ll be more than pleased.” He ended up scoring 13, but with 21 assists, he had 34 points in 44 games. Beliveau remained with the team for 18 seasons, winning 10 championships along the way and serving as team captain for the final decade. When he retired in 1971 he said, “I only hope I have made a contribution to a great game.”

Additional Sources:

• Dink Carroll, “Playing the Field,” Montreal Gazette, 5 Oct. 1953, p. 22.
• “Record Crowd Sees All Stars Strike Early, Beat Habs 3-1,” and “Selke Says Big Jean’s Contract Highest Ever Given Any Player,” Montreal Gazette, 5 Oct. 1953, p. 24.
• Dink Carroll, “Playing the Field,” Montreal Gazette, 8 Oct. 1953, p. 18.
• Vern DeGeer, “‘Million Dollar’ Banquet for N.H.L. Stars On Big Game Eve; Beliveau Still Unsigned,” Montreal Gazette, 3 Oct. 1953, p. 10.
• “Beliveau to Turn Pro If ‘Conditions’ Right,” Montreal Gazette, 2 May 1953, p. 9.
• “Stag Nets $3,000 For Jean Beliveau But Future Foggy,” Montreal Gazette, 20 June 1953, p. 9.
• “Beliveau Expected To Sign on Friday,” Montreal Gazette, 29 Sept. 1953, p. 22.
• https://www.nhl.com/news/jean-beliveau-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-284179630?tid=283865022
• https://www.nhl.com/player/jean-beliveau-8445408?stats=gamelogs-r-nhl&season=19521953