Jean Bliveau, Canadiens legend, remembered by John Hancock

John Hancock, aCBC national sports broadcaster based in Halifax, says he'll always remember the day hockeylegend Jean Bliveau welcomed him on his first day covering theMontrealCanadiens.

• Jean Bliveau, beloved Canadiens hockey legend, dead at 83

Bliveau passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday night. Le Gros Bill, as he was known, is remembered for his skilland sportsmanship.

He won 10 Stanley Cups.

"I remember my first game covering the Montreal Canadiens, it was in March of 1980. I'll never forget it, I hadjust moved from Toronto and I wasstarting my career at CBC Montreal and I was covering theCanadiens in the playoffs," Hancock said."I remember going up into the catwalk of the forum tomy seat, CBC Radio seat, for the first game, nervous with all these icons around me."

Hancock says he had squeezed into his spot and was getting his papers ready for the game whenBliveauwalked behind him.

"He put his hands on my shoulders and whispered, 'Welcome' and kept going. I thought I was going to start crying. It was unbelievable moment. He was a good friend ever since," said Hancock.

"He commanded respect. His teammateGilles Tremblay once said when people sawBobby Hull they said, "Hi Bobby," but with Beliveau it was always, "Hi Mr. Beliveau' because he commanded that respect."

"We'll miss him."

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