The rain could not put a damper on what was an entertaining afternoon for those fortunate enough to gain admission to the State House in Trenton for "Martin Brodeur Day" in New Jersey.
Brodeur was honored with joint resolutions in both the assembly and the senate.
As I pointed out in an earlier post, Devils co-owners Jeff Vanderbeek and Mike Gilfillan and general manager Lou Lamoriello were among those who made the trip down on the train from Newark to Trenton. They were joined on the train -- the first six cars were reserved for the Devils' party -- by alumni Ken Danekyo, Grant Marshall and Rob Skrlac, team radio announcers Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross and team mascot N.J. Devil.
There was only enough room in the balconies of the assembly room and senate chambers for 300 fans. Those spots were filled in only two hours. Another 900 fans who wanted to go were put on a waiting list, so it was a pretty hot ticket. It was free, though, and fans received an autographed mini Brodeur goaltnder stick along with a goodie bag and box lunch for the hour-long train ride.
When we reached Trenton, school buses drove us another five minutes or so to the State House. Brodeur came to Trenton by private car.
The fans made it a pretty festive atmosphere in the assembly in the senate by starting chants of "Let's go Devils!, "Thank you Marty!" and "Close the Izod!" once in each house.
Anyone with even the smallest amount of hockey knowledge was cringing as Assemblyman Fred Scalera, who represtents Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties, recited a lengthy review of Brodeur's career from his childhood to breaking Patrick Roy's regular season wins record on March 17. Scalera mispronounced Brodeur's first name repeatedly as "Mar-teen" and Jacques Lemaire's first name as "Joc-kes". He also mispronounced Roy as "Roy" instead of "Ru-wah".
Later in the afternoon, Senator Nicholas P. Scutari pointed out that Brodeur's first name was correctly pronounced "Mar-tan." which prompted a chant of "Mar-tan!" clap, clap, "Mar-tan!" from the balcony.
"You don't hear chanting in this place too often," Senate President Richard D. Codey said.
Brodeur made acceptance speeches in both houses and thanked the fans for their support in both.
"It's been a great ride for me," Brodeur said in his speech in the Senate. New Jersey is my home. It's where my kids were born and go to school. New Jersey is everything, the Devils are everything for me. I'm just glad to be a part of it. We wear our jersey with the New Jersey logo all over the United States and Canada to represent all of you guys."
He concluded by presenting Codey with an autographed goaltender's stick.
"I think we're going to need this to pass the budget," Codey joked.
TG it was nice to meet you today and thanks for taking a picture with me!
Posted by: CJ | June 18, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Proud to be a NJ Devs fan.....wish I was there....Had to work but was there in spirit...Congrats Martin!!!!
Posted by: mckay21 | June 18, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Excellent job by the Devils for putting together a memorable day. My kids cut school to attend, and I am glad they did. BRAVO VANDERBEEK!
Posted by: Ruppamania | June 18, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Thats awsome!! Thanks for thecoverage of the party. A friend of mine said something to the effect of "DEVILS FANS DEFENITELY DO IT DIFFERENT" Talking about any event in the Rock, whether it be a concert or boxing, you'll hear Devils chants. I was proud to hear a compliment like that especially coming from a life long rags fan.
Devils fans are the best fans, no doubt. We're all like one big family. We even fight like family with eachother.
But don't dare mess with any of us if your not one of us!!!
GO DEVILS!!!!
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 18, 2009 at 07:30 PM
sounds like a great day. wish i could have been there. I wanted to see who thinks bringing Stevie Sullivan back would be an option. 3 years 6 million? would that do it?
Posted by: mikeschoenf | June 18, 2009 at 07:30 PM
"Marteen"...Hah!! What a dummy! I think the same guy was a speaker at my graduation ceremony last year at Montclair State. At one point during his speech, he told us how proud the entire New Jersey Assembly and Senate were of all of us graduating students of William Paterson University.
Posted by: Flipper Rules | June 18, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Nice meeting you today TG, you're the best and keep up the good work. The more and more I think about, today was REALLY something special. Lou, Vanderbeek and partner Mike walking through each car thanking each fan personally and being right behind Dano, Marshall and Skrlac for the entire trip was cool. Met some cool new Devs friends and seen some old firneds and then an autogrpahed 552 mini stick is rather shocking, the lunches were put together very classy and the shirt is really, really cool as well (The train on the back gives a nice touch as well.) They should've had Scorch from the T Devs there but that is the ONLY thing you could posibly say was missing. FREE...FREE (well one way for me) round trip train ride, free rare shirt, decent lunch, autograhped mini stick and just the entire committment by the franchise to the fans..that's like a $200-250 value. They care!
For those who were there, recognize that we are/were very lucky to be there. Thousands of fans worldwide would've really enjoyed being there, it really was a one of a kind day for the franshise: Like one Devs/Marty School field trip. Cherrish it!
Posted by: Philly Devil | June 18, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Great post Philly Devil - you nailed it!
I brought my 6 yr old son with me and it was a great day - first class all the way.
Great to talk to you today TG! Thanks again.
Posted by: Matt McNaught | June 18, 2009 at 08:31 PM
I enjoy the site. I was happy to seeyou posted one of my articles in your news and notes section. Gotta say that if im looking for news i come here first.
JAck Vallon
Posted by: Jack | June 19, 2009 at 09:51 AM
TG.. apparently there is rumors that Sutter is going to coach his brothers team in Calgary.. if this is true.. any idea if Lou granted him permission? I know he would not say yes or no if you asked him, but im just curious what your feeling is.. If its true.. id hope we get somethin out of this mess
Posted by: steve | June 20, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Nature Heart,also to energy complete fact reform peace demonstrate chance cover division neighbour civil enjoy slow cause property relate thank customer key joint front liberal pull industrial funny staff low realize must public tell criterion everything weak flow survive bottle daughter apparent ride powerful urban quarter letter leading liability observation branch bright population limit condition telephone holiday approach film reply themselves transport private motion row supply age vehicle inside county anyone advice able other she outside science apart under once responsibility module indeed inside unemployment listen reject in offer
Posted by: hotel tuerkei | January 21, 2010 at 11:50 PM