Sad news: The new devils have just announced two of their best players retirement.
Not enough credit is given to Martin Brodeur when discussing the top local athletes of the previous 25 years.
However, he belongs on that list right there with fellow Hall of Famers and championship-winning teammates like Mike Piazza, Patrick Ewing, Eli Manning, Mike Piazza, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera.
The Devils will honor the three-time Stanley Cup winner with the fitting retirement of his No. 30 jersey prior to their Tuesday night game against Edmonton in Newark, capping a four-day celebration of his remarkable career in New Jersey.
It’s somewhat unique. I have to change that, like it’s the “I” instead of the “we” (Tuesday). However, I believe that my success stemmed from being a team player and belonging to a company that prioritizes the needs of the team,” Brodeur stated on Tuesday during an afternoon press conference at Prudential Center. “The fans and the organization—we’re all a part of this celebration—I feel like this is not just for me.
Auto (nullp) 225p 360p Subtitles Off “I want to make sure that everyone knows who was significant in my life.” You guys are using social media so well these days, so I was wondering what (in my speech) I could surprise them with. I couldn’t think of anything.
“My relationship with the fans has been special throughout my career; they have supported me from my rookie year until my final game.” Some guys from my first game were two years old, and now they’re twenty-five.Although its fan base isn’t the largest, it is among the best due to its genuine warmth.
The list of achievements for Brodeur, 43, during his 21 seasons as a goalie with the Devils is astounding, not to mention his seven subpar games toward the end of his career with St. Louis.
Brodeur, who was selected by the Devils with the 20th overall pick in the 1990 NHL Draft out of the Quebec Major Junior League’s Hacynthe Lasers, went on to become the NHL’s all-time leader in wins (691) and shutouts (125).
In terms of awards, Brodeur took home three Vezina Trophies as the league’s best goalie and five additional top-3 placings in the voting after winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1993–94.
And despite leading the Devils to Stanley Cup Final appearances twice and championships in 1995, 2000, and 2003, Brodeur’s 96 postseason wins were second only to those of four-time winner Patrick Roy. The native of Montreal also holds the NHL record for the most goals scored by a goalie with three, and he won two gold medals at the Olympics for Canada.
When the news first broke in October of last year that Martin Brodeur’s No. 30 would be retired by the Devils, he was holding the three Stanley Cup banners.
When the news first broke in October of last year that Martin Brodeur’s No. 30 would be retired by the Devils, he was holding the three Stanley Cup banners.
Like Jeter, Rivera, and Joe Torre were with the winning Yankees over the previous 20 years, he is every bit the face of the Devils.
“I suppose I deserve the title because I was here the longest. For me, it’s overwhelming. I was just a young, hockey-loving kid from Montreal.
I started out at a fantastic company and had early career success. Brodeur, who is currently the Blues’ assistant general manager, said, “If I’m the face, I’ll take it, and the statue will be there so people will remember it.” “There wasn’t a single name up in the rafters for ten to fifteen years after I moved to New Jersey. However, we made a positive start.
As he indicated, the Devils commissioned an 11-foot statue of Brodeur, which was unveiled at a different ceremony on Monday night, in addition to his jersey retirement, along with teammates Ken Daneyko (3), Scott Stevens (4), and Scott Niedermayer (27) of the team.
The sculpture, “The Salute,” was made by Jersey native and ardent Devils fan John Krawczyk. It shows the goalie lifting his stick and winking to the crowd following a victory. The statue will eventually be erected in what is known as Championship Plaza, outside the arena, at the intersection of Lafayette St. and Mulberry St., after some renovations are completed around Prudential Center.
“It’s good that I look fit,” Brodeur said in jest. “You’re in trouble as a goalie if you don’t have winning as your motto. It doesn’t matter how many goals your opponents score; ultimately, what matters is how many victories you secure.
Thus, winning was our main consideration when choosing the statue’s stance. When I lose, I just go back to my locker room and feel ashamed instead of saluting anyone.
Naturally, the final joke was a parody of a line from the hockey movie “Slap Shot,” which features French-Canadian goalie Denis Lemieux.
Longtime Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, who earlier in the day pulled off a blockbuster trade for Toronto with Ottawa involving Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, as well as a number of former teammates and coach Jacques Lemaire, will be present at the ceremony.
Although his father, longtime Montreal Canadiens photographer Denis Brodeur, passed away in 2013, Brodeur’s four sons, including goalie Anthony, a 2013 Devils draft pick, and his daughter will also be present.
Martin Brodeur remarked, “I think he’d be everywhere; he’d be so excited to be here.” He was a great addition to our relationship, so his absence is very felt. However, I have no doubt that he is currently enjoying himself and is extremely proud of everything I have accomplished.
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