Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Mike Iupati Jersey .ca. Mr. Fraser, It looks like Martin Brodeur is coming back to play for the Blues. I was wondering if you have any great stories or fond memories of your time on the ice with Brodeur - in the NHL, or maybe even the Olympics. Thanks, Ryan, Waterloo, ON Hi Ryan: If Martin Brodeur finishes his illustrious NHL playing career in a St. Louis Blues jersey the next acquisition to Martys hockey wardrobe will certainly be a Hockey Hall of Fame blazer. I doubt anyone who watched Brodeur record his first win in his very first NHL game on March 26, 1992 could have predicted that Marty would record more victories than any other goalkeeper in the history of the game. His more traditional standup positional style of play was a throwback against the modern butterfly approach most goalies had implemented. I for one wouldnt have guessed the incredible success Brodeur would ultimately achieve even though I had the best seat in the house that night when the Devils beat the Bruins 4-2 and I looked directly into the young goalies mask. While it was far too early for anyone to predict the goalies greatness I did recognize something different about this particular fresh face behind the mask. Goalies are a very special breed of player unto themselves. Beyond the pressure of being the last line of defence for their team, it takes a unique psyche to hurl your body in front of 100-plus mile per hour slap shots and to fight for space as attacking players encroach inside the blue paint or crash the crease. The position between the pipes demands concentration like no other. Many goalies I encountered displayed survival skills that ranged from highly aggressive personalities, overtly superstitious, insecure or cocky to the point of arrogance. Billy Smith and Ron Hextall had a not-so-passive remedy for keeping their crease clear as they used their goal stick and blocker for more than just stopping pucks. Ed Belfour was just as intense but had superstitious quirks that every ref learned about the first time he entered Eddies crease area. Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon were different cats! Roy slew-footed me from behind at the goal line outside his crease in Denver one game as I was skating backwards and crossing over to move to the other side of the net on a dump-in. I went airborne from the goal line and fortunately tucked my chin to my chest to keep my helmetless head from striking the end boards. In the Shark Tank during a playoff game Vernon took three stutter steps to his left with the puck on his stick in order to line me up as I stood against the side boards at the goal line. The enraged goalie then proceeded to shoot the puck directly at my head as he feigned an attempted clearing shot. I moved my head ever so slightly to avoid the puck as it whizzed past my hair. I then gave Verny a smile when I saw his eyes widen as big as saucers inside his mask from the realization that he had just tried to hit the ref in the head with the puck and became fearful of an ejection from the game and potential suspension. I think you get my point Ryan; many of the goalies I encounter were cut from a strange bolt of cloth. Martin Brodeur, on other hand, was a happy-go-lucky guy who just loved to play the game. Whenever I looked into his mask I saw a smiling face looking back at me. I never saw Marty get rattled and he was the epitome of calm even when he felt the need to bear down and battle. Marty, like Hextall, could handle and pass the puck better than most defencemen. In the Devils transition from a Mickey Mouse team (as Wayne Gretzky infamously once referred to them) to Stanley Cup Champs that the maestro, general manager Lou Lamoriello orchestrated, Brodeur became the key cog: the dependable stopper that carried them to victory. Marty wasnt flashy - he just did his job better than anyone else. During the last lockout and prior to a settlement, former Flyer Todd Fedoruk was instrumental in partnering with Caesars Casino to organize a charity game in historic Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City to benefit the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. The game certainly had a Flyers-Rangers colour theme to their non-NHL logo sweaters but it was more like an All-Star Game given the star players from other NHL teams that turned out to support the cause and get back on the ice. Henrik Lundqvist was in the Rangers colours while Brodeur defended the home goal in Flyers black and orange. Flyers fans are loyal to their team colours but booed Brodeur loudly from the opening warm-up to the final horn for daring to wear the black and orange. Marty had a shaky start that night and with each of the five goals that blew past him the partisan Flyers crowd gave him a rousing Bronx cheer. I could see that it never phased Brodeur one bit as I once again had the honour of looking into the goalies mask at ice level. Marty is a very proud guy and I saw him dig deep and battle back in that game to make some incredible saves as his Flyer teammates mounted a comeback. Like so many times while dressed in a Devils uniform, Brodeur was giving his team a chance to win. In the third period Brodeur made a save and redirected the puck to a teammate that resulted in a rush and a goal past King Henrik that pulled the Black and Orange to within one. I awarded the goal at the timekeepers bench and told them to make sure they announced a second assist to Brodeur. Prior to the announcement I went to Marty and told him to be prepared for the P.A. announcement. The fans cheered wildly as the goal scorer and first assist were announced but the roof almost came off the historic old building with the thunder of booing that immediately resulted once Brodeurs name was broadcast for the second assist. A big smile shone from deep inside Martys painted Devils mask. The Hall of Fame goalie turned to me and in his modest, happy way said, I love it! At the private after-party hosted by Caesars for players, sponsors, VIPs and dignitaries, Marty was extremely gracious with his time to pose for pictures, sign autographs and answer questions for all the fans that formed a long line in front of this humble superstar. Before Brodeur departed the function he slid over to say goodbye to me and my family and to thank me for earning him $100 in the game that night. My look of confusion was quickly cleared up when Marty informed me he had made a bet with his friend that the goalie would get an assist in the game. The winning bet might have contributed to Brodeurs smile within the mask but somehow I doubt it very much. Martin Brodeur just love to play the game and compete. What a class act. Wishing you the very best of luck in St. Louis my friend. Thank you for the memories and the honour of stepping into your crease and looking into your mask from time to time. Kurt Warner Jersey . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Discount Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . The midfielder had an operation on Saturday, and is set to miss seven Premier League games, the third round of the FA Cup and the semifinals of the League Cup. http://www.cheapcardinalsjerseyssale.com/?tag=tre-boston-jersey-sale . Vinci also beat Dulgheru last week in Bucharest en route to her first WTA final in a year. Vinci next faces sixth-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan, who beat Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-2. No.Hobart, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) - Brit Heather Watson topped American qualifier Madison Brengle, 6-3, 6-4, in the final of the Hobart International tennis event. The Australian Open tuneup provided the 22-year-old Watson her second career championship in as many final appearances. Travell Dixon Jersey. She also captured a title in Osaka in 2012. The 24-year-old Delaware native Brengle was in her first-ever WTA final. Watson beat Brengle in their only other previous WTA meeting in Quebec City in 2010. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys China Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Near Me Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic MLB Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Throwback Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '