Cournoyer's tearful goodbye to his captain, Beliveau

"Oh capitaine, mon capitaine, bon voyage," says a tearful Yvan Cournoyer as he remembers and cherishes the time he had as a teammate of Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau.

[@normanlinden5786]

He also delivered an eulogy at Guy LaFleur's funeral, an indication of how much respect and admiration the Canadiens have for him.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

If you're not crying now, you're not human. Merci, Yvan.

[@montyburns9943]

They say you shouldn't meet your heroes for you would be sadly disappointed. An exception to that rule was Jean Beliveau.

[@seveglider8406]

Jean Beliveau was the classiest player in the history of all Sports!

[@stevefrandsen7897]

The Roadrunner is quite eloquent. I still miss Big Jean. All class.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

Yvan, perhaps the classiest Hab of them all. A great player and a true gent.

[@dandyer2616]

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Beliveau a couple of times. Such a gentleman!

[@jeancorriveau8686]

My father and Jean Béliveau went to school together. They reunited in 1993 in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba. Jean Béliveau was a gentleman.

[@dinodeluca6210]

an emotional and heartfelt goodbye to a legend and friend....pure class.

[@GTsuji]

Perfect eulogy perfectly delivered. Well done Mr Cournoyer.

[@kuladeeluxe]

Total Class Cournoyer. Always has been.

[@KenLongTortoise]

not a dry eye in the house...such feeling

[@roberthuot7887]

Beautiful tribute mr.Roadrunner, le gross bill was top dog in his day, so respected. GOD bless you mr. Beliveau.

[@billyrock8305]

Yvan Cournoyer is a classy man. Merci.

[@nahpoli]

WOW!! Nothing but class! Well done Yvan and RIP in peace Mr. Beliveau!

[@jeantetreault132]

In 1974-75, my brother was twelve years old and I was 7. My brother use to attend The National Hockey School at Macdonald College out on the West Island, during the summer. Every weekend, we would go out to visit my brother and Yvan Cournoyer was always there as the coach of the league. We all loved the Roadrunner. He’s a great man!❤️ Johnny Montréal, Canada.

[@34Packardphaeton]

Well said, Yvan.

[@andrelebaron]

Great eulogy. They were actually down 5-1 in that game he spoke about. Bruins had won the first game handily and looked to be cruising to an easy playoff win. They’d steamrolled the league that year. I remember it like it was yesterday. Henri stole the puck from Bobby Orr of all people and scored, late in th second and then they scored 5, including 2 by beliveau. M. Cournoyer scord the first goal in that game. That game really won the cup for them and is how a whole new generation witnessed the greatness of Jean beliveau

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

andrelebaron The greatest game in Habs history. I remember it as well.

[@jacksmith5692]

Boston scored 399 goals that year and had 57 wins and 121 points with Espo and Orr leading the way. Espo had 76 goals and Orr had 102 assists and 139 and the team seemed so dominate they were a no brainer to repeat as Cup champs. I was 9 and living in Southborough, Massachusetts watching the game with my late Dad in our finished basement. My Dad said Johnny watch for number 22, John Ferguson. Well Al McNeil put Fergie up with Beliveau and they scored 3 points each in the 3rd period. Along with the roadrunner that line led the charge back. As indicated it was 5-1 in the second period and Henri Richard made it 5-2 going into period 3. Fergie scored the game winning 6th goal and assisted on two Beliveau goals and they won 7-5. I'll remember that game as long as I live. Five years later Fergie joined the Rangers and befriended my late Cousin Richie who had worked for Emile Francis since 1965. Years later Fergie wrote his book called Thunder and Lightning and wrote about my Cousin on 5 pages calling Big Richie his best NY Pal. When Richie suddenly died in 1999, I wrote Fergie and Joan who were living in Windsor and they couldn't be nicer. Fergie had remembered meeting me and my Dad at the Garden when we would see Richie on the bench before the game. RIP Jean Beliveau and John Bowie Ferguson.

[@Lava1964]

Actually Game #1 was fairly close. it was 3-1 for Boston. Referee John Ashley over-officiated and played a huge part.

[@normanlinden5786]

@@Lava1964 -- Ashley was a terrible referee.

[@robertoautore9252]

Jean Beliveau and Yvan Cournoyer are hockey hero's and Legends, played the game with heart and passion, not like the players of today, it's all about money, so pathetic and sad,

[@paulbrown2681]

of all the sports hockey guys are the most classy

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

I remember this well

[@guytitanic]

Yvan looking and sounding Prime Ministral here.

[@4orrcountry]

Perfect. Tres bien, Yvan.

[@mariosabourin6965]

Isn't there a version of this without translator?

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Really. . .

[@JustAnotherGamer1982]

Who could dislike this?

[@robertoautore9252]

Only idiots could dislike this sad heartfelt moment

[@martinperry5072]

Leaf fans.

[@dandyer2616]

I'm a Leaf fan and l was honored to meet Mr. Beliveau on more than one occasion. I have his autograph and cherish it dearly... My eyes were not dry listening to this. As a hockey fan, you cannot help but respect and admire the class and the talent of those Canadien teams from the 60s and 70s.

[@Jaws9904]

Wish I could meet him , but Western Canada we will never have that chance