NEW JERSEY | Martin Brodeur finally hung up his gear in the spring of 2015, but when it comes to the profession of goalkeeper, we have the feeling that he is still driven by the same passion.
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Brodeur, vice president of hockey for the New Jersey Devils, agreed to meet with the Journal's representative a few dozen minutes before the game between the Canadiens and Devils.
The pretext for this meeting: Marc-André Fleury's 552 victories, the last of which came on Monday night, allowed him to overtake Patrick Roy for second place among the most victorious goaltenders in NHL history.
Portal
“It brings back memories. “This kind of plateau over the course of a career is something special,” emphasized Brodeur, monarch of winnings with 691. I am so happy for him. What is impressive for Marc-André is that he has managed to gain the trust of different coaches in different teams. I stayed in New Jersey because I knew they trusted me.”
“And I’m happy to see another Quebecer in the group of four.”
This “group of four” that Brodeur mentions are goalies who have played at least 1,000 games on the Bettman circuit. Once again it is he who takes the lead with 1266. They are followed in order by Roberto Luongo (1044), Roy (1029) and Fleury (1007).
“Pain”
This group of four will remain in existence for several years. Behind the Quebec quartet, active goalkeepers include Jonathan Quick (768 games), Sergei Bobrovsky (674) and Semyon Varlamov (597).
But we'll have to live longer before another Quebec goalie has a long and successful career in the NHL. Only six goalkeepers from La Belle Province have played at least one game this season. Of all of them, Louis Domingue (60) and Samuel Montembeault (42) are the most victorious.
“With Marc-André, the era of the Superman goalkeeper of Quebec ends,” said the former Laser from Saint-Hyacinthe, visibly disappointed. There is none left. It hurts because as Quebecers we were so proud to build this group.”
What happened? Brodeur ignores him. He also has no solution to reverse this sad trend.
“If I had the solution, I would use it to my own advantage,” he replied.
“There were so many,” he continued thoughtfully. (Félix) Potvin, Stéphane (Fiset), Patrick (Roy), Théo (José Théodore), (Éric) Fichaud, me. And I forget a lot.”
European model
As a management member of an NHL team, Brodeur knows well that masked men from Quebec are no longer popular. His own goalkeeping coach, like most teams, now travels to Europe to attend goalkeeping development seminars.
“The example to follow is there. It used to be our home,” he emphasized, before listing a number of goalkeepers from across the Atlantic.
“The best goalkeepers in the league are (Igor) Shesterkin, (Ilya) Sorokin, (Andrei) Vasilevskiy and (Sergei) Bobrovsky. Four Russians. There are also (Jake) Oettinger, (Thatcher) Demko and (Connor) Hellebuyck, who are Americans. I just named seven goalies and no Canadians,” listed Brodeur, who is also involved with Hockey Canada.
At least Brodeur can take solace in the fact that his record of 691 wins may never be equaled. And if that were the case, he risks having a lot of white hair and having to get around with the help of a walker.
Victories
Martin Brodeur 691
Marc André Fleury 552
Patrick Roy 551
Roberto Luongo 489
Among other active Quebecers
Louis Domingue 60
Samuel Montembeault 42
Devon Levi 13
matches
Martin Brodeur 1266
Roberto Luongo 1044
Patrick Roy 1029
Marc André Fleury 1007
Among other active goalkeepers
Jonathan Quick 768
Sergei Bobrovsky 674
Semyon Varlamov 597