Jean Beliveau Foundation Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/11/2008
We are extremely excited and honored to be able to offer the skates Jean Beliveau wore when he joined the NHL’s exclusive 500-goal club in 1971 during his final big-league season. The grace and speed “Le Gros Bill” displayed skating up and down NHL ice surfaces was always done while wearing CCM Tackaberry skates and these can be considered the most significant pair of blades ever offered from the legend’s magnificent career. The milestone goal came during a memorable game in February of 1971. The date was the 11th and the place was the Montreal Forum. Still at the top of his game, Beliveau scored the Canadiens’ first three goals with the third being his 500th regular season tally. History was made at 6:42 of the second period when Beliveau took a drop pass from Phil Roberto, deked Minnesota goaltender Gilles Gilbert and slid the puck home to join Richard, Howe and Hull as the only 500 goal scorers. Frank Mahovlich also assisted on the goal which turned out to be the game-winner as the Canadiens beat the North Stars 6-2. And yes, we’ve been able to match these CCM Tacks to photos from the game! Excellent game use with skate slices on the toes where black shellac was added but which wore thin. There are scuff marks on the sides of the leather boots and color-loss at the backs of the tendon guards from tape removal. The skates can also be matched to Jean Beliveau night, held March 24, 1971 as the regular season wound down and, although we haven’t been able to photo match them to the playoffs, we cannot find a reason to believe they aren't the blades the Canadiens’ captain laced up in the 1971 playoffs, which included the upset of the mighty Boston Bruins in the first round and concluded with Beliveau accepting the Stanley Cup one last time from NHL president Clarence Campbell. “Wow” is what we know you’re saying right about now and we echo your sentiments. Size 9 skates were originally obtained directly from Mr. Beliveau and will be accompanied by his signed letter of authenticity. Amazing!
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