Meet Team Canada: Martin Brodeur (Goaltender)

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

With the Olympics just a few weeks away, every Canadian citizen with a pulse awaits the drop of the first puck and with it, the renewed opportunity for Canada to bring home a Gold Medal, a feat Canada has not accomplished since 2002.

Heading into the Olympic hockey tournament, the Canadians are the consensus pick to win Gold. That said, don’t expect the Gold medal to be uncontested. Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the United States are expected to give Canada all they can handle, with the greatest challenge expected to come from Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the offensively deep Russian squad.

With all the stiff competition coming Canada’s way, it’s a good thing that the Canucks are deep at every position. The legendary Martin Brodeur is expected to get the nod as Canada’s No. 1 goaltender. Brodeur will be joined by Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury, two goalies that are capable of rising their game should Brodeur falter.

All three of Canada’s goaltenders have impressive resumes. Martin Brodeur—arguably the best goaltender in NHL history—has won three Stanley Cups (1995, 200, 2003), four Vezina Trophies (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008), has played in 10 NHL All-Star Games (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008) and boasts two Silver Medal efforts at the World Championships (1996, 2005) and, most importantly, one Gold Medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The Hockey News recently voted Brodeur as the decades greatest NHL goaltender, and with good reason.

Brodeur owns several NHL records—including, most regular season wins, most shutouts—regular season and playoffs combined, most overtime wins, most consecutive 30-win seasons, most consecutive 35-win seasons, most 40-win seasons (of which he has seven!), most games played by a goaltender, most shut outs in a playoff and most shutouts in a Stanley Cup final, amongst others.

Brodeur’s ability to remain calm, cool, and collected is legendary as is the confidence he gives those in front of him. Known as the games best puck-handler, Brodeur prides himself in forever progressing his craft. Brodeur is a winner, a pioneer, a visionary and one of the finest NHL citizens of all-time.

Perhaps the best positional goaltender in NHL history, Brodeur plays a hybrid style (a mix of both standup and butterfly). At age 37, Brodeur’s reflexes are still second to none and his glove hand is as good as it gets.

In nine career starts at the Olympics, Brodeur has a record of 6-2-1, with a goals against average under 2.00. In 26 combined games Internationally, Brodeur has amassed a record of 16-6-2 with a 2.19 GAA and one shut out. Impressive, to say the least.

With all of Brodeur’s accomplishments, records and experience there really is just one choice for Canada’s starting goaltender. You can bet that, barring injury, Brodeur will be between the pipes for Canada, and a big reason for their success.

Until next time,

Peace!