Le Gros Bill receives another honour

Quebec Premier Jean Charest applauds after Habs legend Jean Beliveau receives the Grand Officer Medal of L'Ordre National du Québec. Photo: AP/The Canadian Press, Jacques Boissinot

Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau was added another honour to his resume of achievements.

The Hall of Famer received the medal of Grand Officer of the L'Ordre National du Québec (National Order of Quebec) on Wednesday.

The Order honours current or former Quebec residents for outstanding achievements in any field and is the highest award in Quebec. The ranking of Grand Officer is the highest for the award. Beliveau had been made a Chevalier(Knight) of the Order in 1998 and promoted to Officier (Officer) in 2006.

Beliveau is one of four Canadiens players to have received the Order. Henri Richard (officer/officier), Emile “Butch” Bouchard and Guy Lafleur (both Chevalier/Knight) are the others. Mario Lemieux is the only other NHL player to have received the Order.

A more detailed list of awards received by Jean Beliveau in his playing and post-playing career can be found in this YTHR June 2009 article.