I collect Harvey stuff and found this on EBAY

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-1959-Signed-F...1QQcmdZViewItem

I know they retired his number in the 80's because Lappy wore #2 for a dozen or so years afterwards. Anyhoo, I'm curious what the letter roughly is talking about in terms of honoring him while not being an actual jersey retirement. Any sort of cliffs notes about what the letter says the night is to be comprised of would be very gracious. Thank you.

Gimme a few and I'll have something up

ty sir

i'll let fenix do it since he started but basically it talks sbout raising funds for the night and who wanted this night to come about.
Its a cool letter.

Great if Fenxis will do the whole translation, but I found this first part pretty cool :

"Doug was moved and very happy (about the idea of having a "Doug Harvey night at the Forum"), but he also pointed out that there was a lot of unemployment these days. He suggested that we hold the event this season instead."

Pretty nice guy, this Doug Harvey fellow...

It's been a while since I've taken classes in french... 2nd paragraph was a little rough but here we go:

October 1959

Last year some of the supporters of the Canadiens club suggested a "Doug Harvey" night at the Forum. We have discussed this with Doug, who was said to be very touched and also very happy with the announced project but he also noticed that there was still lots of unemployment all over. So he therefore suggested the committee should give it all this year instead.

Recently, the same committee approached us with the same proposition and with the permission of the Board of Directors, to let us offer a "Doug Harvey" night, their commendation however to not impinge on anyone this evening and therefore recommend to assure that the participants? will be able to donate only if they wish to do so and the amount of their donation is voluntary and at their digression. The "Doug Harvey" evening, therefore, will be held at the Forum Thursday 3rd of December in the evening. Have have learned that over the last couple of days from Irving Liverman, who is head of the Doug Evening night committee, that the encouragement received until now has been excellent and that the same committee is now ready to receive our contribution and those of amateur hockey who frequent faithfully(?) the Forum.

To be sure that every dollar donated will be used toward the announced goals, the Forum was decided to entrust the clerical work necessary to it's accountant who will save some expenses. If you desire therefore to join the Doug Harvey night you can make out donation to Ms Norma Darling, our accountant here ad the forum or give it to one of our ticket agents the next time you visit one of our offices. An official receipt will be given and if you send your donation via mail, you can make your check or money order out to "SOIREE DOUG HARVEY" and send it to Ms Norma Darling, "Le Forum", 2313 west, rue St-Catherine. Montreal.

Doug as already let it be known that any surplus money - if there are is any after the purchase of the automobile that will be given to him - will go to the Association for Retarded Children of Quebec and no one doubts that the amount in question will be very useful for this Associated in the pursuit of it's excellent work. Don't hesitate to ask us questions that you believe to be essential with the cause in question. We repeat you are perfectly free to donate or not to donate.

We finally would like you to know that we highly appreciate the work of Irving Liverman and his committee as well as the magnificent support of all of the supporters of the Canadiens hockey club. It is a privilege for us to be associated with this project and others of the same genre and we hope to be able to deliver another team that will win the Stanley Cup.

Awesome thanks very much.

I find it interesting they were doing this so soon after his trade because when he was traded to the Rangers it was not because of on ice performance but due to his alliance with Ted Lindsay to attempt to form a Players Association.

In any event, thanks again, very cool.

good translation. I fixed a few little things to be a bit more accurate.
"amateurs de hockey" is hockey fans. "des sports amateurs" would be amateur sports.

well done.

Ah gotcha.. did french immersion for years; but obviously we didn't cover slang and some of those nuances I miss.

And one of the best and most influential defensemen ever.

No Doug Harvey? No Bobby Orr. Period.

ya but..., oh snap, you said period. dangit. I was going to say something but you got that period in before I could.
well play sir, well played indeed.

No Doug Harvey? No Alan Eagleson either.

LOL...now that is true.... but to have been able to watch Bobby Orr makes Alan Eagleson forgivable...

He was a fascinating guy, bi-polar which back then I suppose was a very unknown thing. There's a great story about how the Habs were playing a junior team (I think maybe Sudbury) and they were up like 12-0 or something with a few minutes left and the opposition scored a goal finally late in the game and they had this elaborate celebration with like the mascot running out and lights, etc...so with a few seconds left Harvey takes the puck behind his own net and puts it in past Plante. When asked why he scored on his own goal Harvey said "I really wanted to see the mascot again".

Bump because I recently found and won a program from this night on EBAY. I eagerly anticipate its arrival. Indulge me.
(Shakes fist) INDULGE ME....