It looks like hell has finally froze over for the iconic Martin Brodeur and his brilliant NHL career as a New Jersey Devil, as he's likely to make his last and final start in net during the Devils season finale tomorrow at 3:00pm v. the Boston Bruins at the Prudential Center.
Brodeur 41, has been the backbone of the New Jersey Devils for his entire 21 year career - carrying them to three Stanley Cup Championships and a trip to the playoffs in all but three seasons. The two time Gold Medalist for Team Canada (2002, 2010) is the all-time NHL leader in wins (687), shut outs (124), and games played (1,258) and is the only goalie in NHL history to record eight - 40 win seasons. He is a four time Vezina Trophy Winner, five time JenningsTrophy Winner, 10 time NHL all star, one of two goalies to score a goal in both the regular season and playoffs, and the list just goes on and on and on.
Far beyond the statistics, #30 has represented a solid foundation in net that was the centerfold of the New Jersey Devils organization. There may never be a single more important player to any franchise in the history of sports than Martin Brodeur was to the New Jersey Devils, and for that - I'll be forever grateful to be a Devil fan.
"I'll just take everything in" Brodeur said. "I'm going to go out there and try to do my best and enjoy playing the game and have fun out there. It's kind of hard. I'm just going to go out and play like it's another game, but definitely knowing in the back of my mind it might be my last one I'm going to play here, any for a while."
Everyone knows Brodeur is an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the season. If all were right in the world, Brodeur would retire a New Jersey Devil. But if he doesn't can you blame him? Hockey is the greatest sport on earth, who wouldn't want to play it until someone has to rip that jersey off your back?
As a 21 year- old, I'm honored to have witnessed all three Stanley Cup victories for the iconic net-minder and almost his entire illustrious career. You've been a real honor to watch Marty, and your legend will live on when #30 is retired to the rafters in New Jersey.
There's one quote that always come to mind when I come across situations like this; "It's a great game, it's a shame we all have to get old" -Andrew Eugene Pettitte.
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