The hockey world has lost one of its legends. Former Montreal Canadiens star Jean Beliveau died Tuesday at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by a member of the NHL club. A supremely skilled centre for 18 seasons, Beliveau was also a gracious spokesman for the Habs and the sport. He scored 507 goals, won 10 Stanley Cups and was captain for 10 seasons before his retirement in 1971 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

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Montreal - December 2, 2014 - The hockey world has lost one of its legends. Former Montreal Canadiens star Jean Beliveau died Tuesday at the age of 83.

His death was confirmed by a member of the NHL club. A supremely skilled centre for 18 seasons, Beliveau was also a gracious spokesman for the Habs and the sport.

He scored 507 goals, won 10 Stanley Cups and was captain for 10 seasons before his retirement in 1971. He then moved seamlessly into an executive position with the club. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

"The Montreal Canadiens organization is extremely moved by Mr. Béliveau’s passing away," Canadiens president Geoff Molson said in a statement. "Like millions of hockey fans who followed the life and the career of Jean Béliveau, the Canadiens today mourn the passing of a man whose contribution to the development of our sport and our society was unmeasurable. Jean Béliveau was a great leader, a gentleman and arguably the greatest ambassador our game has ever known.

"Jean Béliveau was part of the Canadiens family for over six decades. The Canadiens organization will bring all the needed support to the members of Jean Béliveau’s family, and will work closely with them to organize the ceremonies that will take place in the coming days. On behalf of the Molson family, and all members of the Canadiens organization, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife Élise, his daughter Hélène and granddaughters Magalie and Mylène."