On This Date in Sports February 11, 1971: Beliveau 500

In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com

Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens becomes the fourth player in NHL history to score 500 goals as he nets a hat trick in a 6-2 win over the Minnesota North Stars at the Montreal Forum. It is the 18th and final hat trick of Beliveau’s Hall of Fame career. Beliveau would retire following the season, ending his 18-year career with the Canadiens with 507 goals.

Jean Beliveau was another of the homegrown Quebec skaters that helped the Montreal Canadiens become a dynasty. Born on August 31, 1931, Beliveau made his first appearance with the Canadiens in the 1950/51 season after playing in QMJHL with the Quebec Aces. Jean Beliveau again appeared in a few games in the 1952/53 season before joining the Habs for good in 1953.

Jean Beliveau quickly became one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, winning the Art Ross Trophy, and was the league’s leading scorer in 1956, with 88 points, including 47 goals, while winning the first of two Hart Trophies given to the NHL’s MVP. Beliveau also won the Hart Trophy in 1964 and was the first winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy for the NHL’s Playoff MVP in 1965. In his 18 seasons, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup ten times.

Entering a Thursday Night game at the Montreal Forum against the Minnesota North Stars, Jean Beliveau needed three more goals to join former Montreal Canadiens star Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks in the 500-goal club. Beliveau quickly took his tally to 499 goals with a pair of first period goals. In the third period, Jean Beliveau would get number 500 on a beautiful backhander that went past Minnesota goalie Gilles Gilbert as the Canadiens won the game 6-2.

After retiring, Jean Beliveau took a job in the front office. Including his seven times as an executive with the Montreal Canadiens, Beliveau’s name appears on the Stanley Cup a record 17 times.