 Following the announcement of Kennedy 's passing , many fans and papers published tributes , while former NHL players paid their respects . Jean Béliveau , a former member of the rival Montreal Canadiens , expressed sadness upon the news , stating " I was certainly happy to play against him , and I 'm so sorry to hear ( of his death ) " . He would add " He was a complete centreman , a good playmaker , a good passer , good on faceoffs . " Brian Burke , the Leafs ' general manager at the time of Kennedy 's passing , issued a statement , reading " He truly was a man of great class and he was one of the most accomplished leaders in our team 's long history . " NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also issued a statement mourning Kennedy 's loss . 
