AP -- Montreal, QUEBEC ... July 12, 2007

In an announcement that rocked the city of Montreal, Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced today that one of the city's most beloved players of yesteryear is going to lace them up again and attempt to rekindle the flame that saw him lead so many Habs teams to Stanley Cup victories.

Jean Beliveau, the famous number 4, is going to skate again for the Habs.

"It's something I've been thinking about for a long time," Beliveau said. "I've gotten tired of sitting in the stands and watching the team struggle. Bob [Gainey] needs an experienced center, and I certainly fit that bill."

Reaction to the news from fans was immediate and positive.

"Just having him on the bench would be a big motivator," said Saku11, a professed fan of Canadiens captain Saku Koivu. "I still hope that Saks still centers our number one line, but to have big Jean at center on a second line with two of our younger players would bring experience and talent that the team needs."

"I'm lovin' it," said Habs guru And-o. "I told them a long time ago that they let Big Jean retire too early."

Habs GM Bob Gainey expressed a similar sentiment. "All summer long, we've been trying to addd experience and scoring talent to our forward lines -- but without success," Gainey said. "Some players even came right out and said that they didn't want to play in Montreal. We certainly don't have that problem with Jean Beliveau. He comes to all our games anyway."

Asked what kind of role he could see Beliveau playing for the team, incoming head coach Guy Carbonneau had a long list. "What roles won't he play?" Carbonneau responded. "The guy was one of the best playmakers in NHL history. He could play tough, too, and he'll provide some much-needed muscle in the corners. He can shoot, pass, skate, and even help coach. He'll see more ice time in the 2006-7 season than he saw in the last 4 years of his first career if I have my way."

The Habs' team doctor, Jean Sais-pas, reached at his summer clinic in St. Andrews, Scotland, was more cautious in his optimism. "Despite the fact that Jean is well past the age that most players can play, he's in great physical shape. Remember, Gordie Howe played well into his fifties. It may be that Jean will sit out a few afternoon games so as not to interfere with his nap times, but he's gotten a clean bill of health from our people, and like everyone else, we can't wait to see him work his magic again."

Asked if he would be required to wear a helmet, Dr. Sais-pas said he didn't know. "It may be that he will be grandfathered in, if you'll forgive the expresssion, and not have to wear one since he never did during his earlier career. We will have to wait and see. I'm sure that our fans would certainly prefer to see those grey locks flowing in the breeze rather than hidden under a helmet, but it will be up to Jean and the league to decide."

Canadiens players were uniformly excited about the prospects of playing with Grand Jean -- at least publicly.

"Who wouldn't want the mighty Beliveau on their team?" asked Canadiens winger Michael Ryder. "Can you imagine how many goals I'll score with that guy setting me up?"

"It's sheer genius," said defenseman Sheldon Souray. "I don't know why I didn't think of it. My only concern is that I'll need to make sure I don't hit him with any of my shots from the point. At his age, a broken bone could be life-threatening."

Off the record, though, several players who have been signed for next year were less enthusiastic.

"I just don't get it," said one skinny Hab center who asked not to be identified. "I mean, they could have increased what they're going to pay me by another million or so if they hadn't pulled this stunt. Nothing against Jean -- I'm sure he's a great guy -- but I'd think that the future of the team should rest with the guys who are under 70, don't you?"

Players from the days of Beliveau's Stanley Cup-winning years expressed surprise at the news, but also a lot of encouragement.

"Let's just say that I'm glad I'm not going to be in net against him," said former Rangers goaltender Eddie Giacomin, who was reached at his trailer park home in Lumiere Rouge, Quebec. "That guy didn't take no for an answer. Evidently, he doesn't give it for an answer, either."

Stan Mikita, who went up against Beliveau in the 1970-71 Stanley Cup finals and came away the loser, echoed Giacomin's sentiments. "Well, he may not be as quick and smooth as he used to be," said Mikita through an interpreter, "and he may have to have some sort of special adult undergarment fashioned if he's going to play all three periods, but I'm sure he'll do fine."

Canadiens owner George Gillette was positively beaming at the press conference during which the news was announced. "It's a great day for the whole organization," Gillette said. "We already had Jean signed to an "ambassadorial" contract anyway, so it's costing us peanuts. And just think what it will do for our merchandise sales. We've already ordered 3 million No. 4 jerseys and have alerted the mill to stand by to make more. This is something we should have thought of long ago -- certainly before Maurice died. Can you imagine the two of them, Richard and Beliveau, reunited on the same line? We're talking serious buckos, boys."

Asked if any other Habs players might come out of retirement to suit again, Gillette wouldn't confirm or deny anything.

"Cournoyer has called us and we're in the early stages of talks with him. And Mario Tremblay has sent about a dozen emails begging to get back on the ice. At the moment, though, we're not preapred to make any other announcements. Stay tuned, though -- the days of the player-coach just may be coming back..."

One former Habs player was less enthusiastic about the idea. Reached at his think-tank in Thunder Pants, Ontario, hall of fame netminder Ken Dryden expressed concern about Beliveau's ability to hold up to the rigors of today's NHL. "Desire is a wonderfully abstract emotion -- I know that I've desired certain things and have often become disillusioned when they didn't materialize," Dryden said. "The process of transforming desire into competitiveness requires more than wishful thinking. I think."

Overall, though, the news has been met with excitement all across the city. Even Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay got into the act, offering to give Beliveau the key to the city and the key to his wine cellar if he could bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal. "Now if they could only get my cousin J.C. to suit up again," Tremblay told the media. "As much as we need to score more goals, a little help on defense would hurt, either, if you know what I mean."