MONTREAL - Jean Beliveau is in stable condition and resting comfortably after suffering a stroke Monday evening.
Former player Dickie Moore said that Beliveau is still receiving treatment as of Wednesday, but that he is conscious and receiving visitors.
"The news this morning is very positive that he can now view people and know who he is talking with and it's very nice," said Moore.
"I told him yesterday this is going to turn around, you'll be back in the fort, and it's showing all the signs of a recovery."
The 80-year-old was admitted to hospital Monday, and the hockey team issued a statement saying that Beliveau and his family were asking for privacy during his convalescence.
Beliveau has had several medical issues in recent years, including surgery last summer to repair abdominal aneurysms.
In 2010 he suffered what doctors at the Montreal General Hospital called a "mild stroke." In 2000 he was diagnosed with throat cancer and in 1996 had heart problems.
Former teammate Yvan Cournoyer said Beliveau's health is getting worrisome.
"You know, Jean lately has been having operations two to three times and cancer and everything. I'm really worried when you get older. Jean's 80, as a matter of fact. So he's getting a little bit too old to get to the hospital," he said.
Beliveau retired from the Montreal Canadiens in 1971 after more than 20 years with the Canadiens, the last ten as captain, the longest tenure in Habs history.
During his career he scored 507 goals and had 712 assists.
He won 10 Stanley Cups and won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP in 1965.
He also won the Hart trophy, given to the league's most valuable player, in 1956 and 1964, and the Art Ross for being the top league scorer in 1956. That year he scored 88 points and amassed 143 penalty minutes, finally tiring of and fighting back against his opponents' aggressive attempts to shut him down.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a hockey fan who plans to one day write a book about the history of the sport, wished Beliveau well on Tuesday.
"Mr. Beliveau is a great Canadian and a remarkable ambassador for our national sport. We wish him a speedy recovery," Harper said, according to a tweet from Andrew MacDougall, his communications director.
Beliveau retired at the end of the 1970-71 season, after having led the team in regular-season scoring with 76 points, including 25 goals.
The Habs retired his number 4 that October, and the following year, the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its usual three-year waiting period so Beliveau could take his place among his fellow NHL legends.
"When Jean Beliveau enters a room, conversations pause briefly as people silently recognize that they are in the presence of greatness," reads his player page on the team website.
"His efforts on the ice made better players of his teammates, and his exemplary life away from the rink makes better human beings of most people fortunate enough to cross his path."
With reports from ctvnews.ca and The Canadian Press
